<unk>  is a process in mammals, which aims to maintain adequate and stable<unk>  blood flow. While most systems of the body show some degree of<unk> , the brain is very sensitive to over- and underperfusion.<unk>  plays an important role in maintaining an appropriate blood flow to that region. Brain perfusion is essential for life since the brain has a high metabolic demand. By means of<unk>  the body is able to deliver sufficient blood containing oxygen and nutrients to the brain tissue for this metabolic need, and remove CO2 and other waste products.<unk>  refers to the physiological mechanisms that maintain blood flow at an appropriate level during changes in blood pressure. However, due to the important influences of arterial<unk> rbon dioxide levels,<unk>  metabolic rate, neural activation, activity of the sympathetic nervous system, posture, as well as other physiological variables,<unk>  is often interpreted as encompassing the wider field of<unk>  blood flow regulation. This field includes areas such as CO2 reactivity, neurovascular coupling and other aspects of<unk>  haemodynamics. This regulation of<unk>  blood flow is achieved primarily by small arteries, arterioles, which either dilate or contract under the influence of multiple complex physiological control systems. Impairment of these systems may occur e.g. following stroke, trauma or anaesthesia, in premature babies and has been implicated in the development of subsequent brain injury. The non-invasive measurement of relevant physiological signals like<unk>  blood flow, intracranial pressure, blood pressure, CO2 levels,<unk>  oxygen consumption, etc. is challenging. Even more so is the subsequent assessment of the control systems. Much remains unknown about the physiology of blood flow control and the best clinical interventions to optimize patient outcome.
Cerebral autoregulation
Intracranial pressure
Cerebral perfusion pressure
Vagal tone
Heart rate variability
Cardiac reserve
Arterial input function
Segmental blood pressure