Abstract
Previous studies suggest that sympathetic nerves may affect cerebral blood flow (CBF) more profoundly in neonates than adult animals. Data regarding developmental aspects of adrenergic mechanisms and CBF regulation are not available. The present study investigates the functional development of sympathetic vasoconstriction in the cerebral circulation. In 16 anesthetized (30% N2O) newborn piglets (4 to 15 days), the right sympathetic trunk was electrically stimulated for 60s (16 Hz, 15v, 3 msec) while the left side served as control and blood flow to each hemibrain was measured (microspheres). Blood pressure and blood gases were not altered by sympathetic nerve stimulation. During baseline (no stimulation) CBF was 78±5 and 77±5 ml/min/100g in the left and right hemibrain respectively. Electrical stimulation of the sympathetic trunk decreased flow to the right hemibrain by 10±2% compared to the left side. Flow to the right cerebrum (CBM) was reduced by 15±3% while flow to cerebellum and brainstem regions were unaffected. The efficacy of sympathetic vasoconstriction appears to be related to age where flow to the right CBM was reduced by 14±3 in piglets less than 6 days old, 19±5% in 7-9 day old piglets and 6±3% in piglets over 9 days of age. The developmental pattern was most profound in the choroid plexus where sympathetic vasoconstriction reduced flow by 45±7, 83±5, and 58±8% in the respective age groups. These data suggest that there is a critical time during postnatal development when sympathetic activation may significantly alter CBF. (NIH T35-HD-07217-10A1 and NIH-HD-15973-01.)
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Wagerle, L., Kumar, S. & Delivoria-Papadopoulos, M. DEVELOPMENTAL CEREBROVASCULAR RESPONSE TO SYMPATHETIC NERVE STIMULATION IN NEWBORN PIGLETS. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 147 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00323
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00323