Research progress on cerebral blood flow changes after acute high-altitude exposure

Acute high-altitude exposure (AHE) imposes a significant stimulus on the human cerebrovascular system, resulting in abnormalities in cerebral blood flow (CBF). The abnormal changes in CBF are one of the current research hotspots. In a hypoxic environment, CBF, cerebrovascular compliance, and cerebral perfusion all undergo significant changes, which are closely related to an individual's neurocognitive function and adaptability. Existing studies indicate that there are still shortcomings in the relevant field, and it is urgent to further explore the regulation of CBF and its mechanisms, as well as to study the relative symptoms and the process by which they eventually lead to high-altitude encephalopathy. This article systematically summarizes the basic experimental and clinical studies on the effect of AHE on CBF, deeply discusses the mechanisms of changes in CBF, flow velocity, and the nervous system, as well as the interventional treatment methods for abnormal CBF, hoping to provide assistance for research in this field.