Esther AH Warnert1, Ian D Driver1, Joseph Whittaker1, and Kevin Murphy1
Due to the potential of using hyperoxia as a treatment for
cerebral ischemic diseases, including stroke, it is important to fully understand
the effects of hyperoxia on the cerebrovasculature. Although it is known that
breathing of 100% O2 leads to a decrease in cerebral blood flow, it
is unclear where along the cerebral arterial tree vasoconstriction occurs. Here
we show that, while there is expected constriction of the large arteries,
smaller and more distal arteries actually show vasodilation upon hyperoxia.
