A mathematical simulation of reactive hyperemia in the rat´s brain

Reactive hyperemia, following one minute of total cerebral ischemia in the rat´s brain, is studied using an original mathematical model of cerebrovascular regulation. The effect of intrinsic vascular smooth muscle myogenic reactivity, of cholinergic efferent neural pathways on proximal arteries, and of vasodilating chemical substances (adenosine and H/sup +/) on pial arteries and arterioles have all been taken into account in the model. The time pattern of cerebral blood flow and of the radii of cerebral vessels from major brain arteries to precapillary arterioles are simulated by the model during the ischemic and postischemic periods. The role played by the different regulatory actions in the development and maintenance of reactive hyperemia is analyzed.<>