A combined haemodynamic and biochemical model of cerebral autoregulation

The feedback processes that control the blood supply to the brain, collectively termed cerebral autoregulation, are many and complex. Failure of this mechanism is implicated in a number of conditions. However, in a clinical setting the number of variables that can be measured non-invasively is extremely limited. In addition, current models are either too crude, and not physiologically meaningful, or so complex that analysis is difficult. In this paper a new compact, but physiologically meaningful, model is presented, based on smooth muscle cells within a vessel model, integrated within a full haemodynamic model. Preliminary results show realistic behaviour.