Decrease in Cerebral Blood Flow after Reoxygenation Is Associated with Neurological Syndrome Sequelae and Blood Pressure

Changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and regulation of cerebral circulation occur at high altitude (HA). However, the changes in CBF and their associations with neurological syndrome sequelae and blood pressure after subjects return to the lowlands remain unclear. In this study, the subjects were 23 college students who were teaching at an altitude of 4300 m for 30 days. These subjects were studied before reaching the HA (Test 1), one week after returning to the lowlands (Test 2), and three months after returning to the lowlands (Test 3). Symptom scores for de-acclimatization syndrome were evaluated. Changes in CBF were measured using the magnetic resonance imaging arterial spin labeling (ASL) technique. Additionally, the velocity of CBF in the cerebral arteries was measured using a transcranial doppler (TCD). In Test 2 vs. Test 1, the peak systolic velocity and mean velocity in the basilar artery were significantly decreased. CBF exhibited significant decreases in the left putamen/cerebellum crus1/vermis and right thalamus/inferior temporal gyrus, while significant increases were observed in the left postcentral gyrus/precuneus and right middle cingulate gyrus/superior frontal gyrus. In Test 3 vs. Test 1, the basilar artery velocity returned to the baseline level, while CBF continued to decrease. The mean global CBF showed a decreasing trend from Test 1 to Test 3. Furthermore, the mean global CBF had a negative correlation with the systolic pressure, pulse pressure, and mean arterial pressure. The decrease in CBF after reoxygenation may underlie the neurological symptoms in subjects returning to the lowlands. Increased blood pressure could serve as a predictor of a decrease in CBF.