Simple exercises that significantly increase cerebral blood flow and cerebral oxygenation

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that simple exercises can significantly boost cerebral blood flow and oxygenation, with potential clinical and cognitive benefits, through non-invasive monitoring techniques.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence that simple breathing and cognitive exercises increase cerebral blood flow and oxygenation, highlighting potential clinical applications.

Findings

Breathing exercises significantly increase global CBF.

Arithmetic and biofeedback tasks increase local brain oxygenation.

Results suggest potential for clinical and cognitive applications.

Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that simple exercises may significantly increase cerebral blood flow (CBF) and/or cerebral oxygenation. Eighteen subjects ranging in age from nineteen to thirty nine participated in a four-stage study during which measurements of end tidal CO_2 (EtCO2 - by capnometer) and local brain oxygenation (by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) sensor) were taken. The four stages were 1) baseline, 2) breathing exercises, 3) solving an arithmetic problem, and 4) biofeedback. During the breathing exercises there was a significant increase in EtCO2 indicating a significant increase in global CBF. The increase in global CBF was estimated on the basis of a theoretical model. During the arithmetic and biofeedback tasks there was a significant increase in the local (Fp1) oxygenation, but it varied between the different participants. The results may lead to new clinical applications of CBF and brain oxygenation monitoring and behavioral control. We foresee future more detailed investigations in the control of CO2 in brain circulation in specific regions of the brain involved in cognition and memory.