ABSTRACT

Brain is highly dependent on a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients through the blood flow; it represents only 2% of the body weight, yet consumes 20% of the total body oxygen supply. Blood is supplied through an intricate network of vessels that projects from large surface, carotid, and basilar arteries deep into the brain tissue where a dense capillary mesh provides for virtually every neuron. Cerebral blood flow through this network is tightly regulated by the brain tissue energy demand.