A mathematical model of overall cerebral blood flow regulation in the rat

A mathematical model of the cerebrovascular regulatory system in the rat is presented. The model, a generalization of a previous one, includes the reactivity of proximal segments of the cerebrovascular bed and the neurogenic and myogenic feedback regulatory mechanisms besides the action of chemical regulatory factors. The model is used to analyze the interaction of mechanisms regulating cerebral blood flow in several conditions of physiological importance. A comparison of simulation results with recent experimental data shows that the model is able to produce 60-70% of the experimental regulatory capacity of the cerebrovascular bed. However, some relevant discrepancies still exist between the model and the experimental results, especially as regards the dilatory capacity of small cerebral arterioles.<
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