Gender Differences in Cerebral Blood Flow Velocity and Autoregulation between the Anterior and Posterior Circulations in Healthy Children

Abstract

There is little information on gender differences in cerebral autoregulation. The purpose of this study was to compare autoregulation of the anterior and posterior circulations using the tilt test method in healthy boys and girls who were 10-16 y of age. Transcranial Doppler was used to measure middle cerebral artery and basilar artery flow velocities (Vmca and Vbas). Cerebral autoregulation (ARI) of the middle cerebral (ARImca) and basilar arteries (ARIbas) was examined using the tilt test method. An ARI <0.4 indicates impaired autoregulation. Among the 13 boys and 13 girls, Vmca and Vbas were higher in girls. All children demonstrated intact autoregulation, but boys had higher ARImca than girls, whereas girls had higher ARIbas than boys. Girls demonstrated greater autoregulation in the basilar artery, whereas boys demonstrated greater autoregulation in the middle cerebral artery. Girls had higher flow velocities in both vessels. This study provides normative data on cerebral autoregulation of the posterior circulation in healthy, awake boys and girls.