Journal September 25, 2026 5 min read

What does the research say about cerebral blood flow?

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is the volumetric rate of blood delivery to brain tissue, typically expressed in mL/100 g/min. This page summarises registered trials and published studies that use CBF as a primary or secondary

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Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is the volumetric rate of blood delivered to brain tissue, usually expressed in mL/100 g tissue per minute. It is distinct from cerebral perfusion pressure and from cerebrovascular reactivity, though the three are frequently measured together. In the literature indexed here, CBF appears as a primary endpoint in interventional trials and as a mechanistic readout in animal and in vitro work. The studies below centre on neurovascular coupling, endothelial function, and the regulation of CBF by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and by NAD⁺-dependent metabolism.

Across the evidence block, the work converges on two broad pathways: vascular endothelial signalling (including blood-brain barrier integrity and ROS-mediated tone) and metabolic cofactor availability, particularly nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺).

Research Studies

Avocado consumption and cerebral blood flow in pre-diabetic adults

A registered randomised crossover intervention is assessing the effect of 12 weeks of daily avocado consumption on cerebral blood flow and on markers of cardio- and vascular health in both the periphery and the brain. The population is pre-diabetic men and women with overweight or obesity, aged 40–75 years; 34 participants are planned. A secondary objective is to assess brain insulin sensitivity after intranasal insulin delivery, alongside vascular function, metabolic markers, cognition, and psychological well-being [1].

Citicoline and cerebral Doppler resistive index in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

A registered trial is determining the efficacy of citicoline in improving cerebral blood flow parameters and neurological status among neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. The outcome measures are the Doppler resistive index and the Sarnat-Sarnat score after 72 hours of therapy [2].

Nicotinamide riboside and cerebral blood flow in amnestic mild cognitive impairment

A 12-week double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled pilot study evaluated the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of the NAD⁺ precursor nicotinamide riboside (NR) for enhancing cognitive function and cerebral blood flow in adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Forty-two participants completed the study (NR = 22, placebo = 20). Adherence was similar between groups with no serious adverse effects, and blood NAD⁺ increased twofold in the NR group. There were no improvements in the cognitive or CBF outcomes reported in the abstract [4].

Pterostilbene derivatives and anti-cerebral ischemic activity in vitro and in vivo

Pterostilbene (Pts), a small molecule stilbenoid and a dimethyl analogue of resveratrol, exerts blood-brain barrier protection in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. A structural optimisation study generated a series of Pts derivatives and investigated their anti-ischemic activities both in vitro and in vivo. ADMET methods predicted drug-likeness, and in vitro MTT cell viability analysis was conducted on neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) and brain microvascular endothelial cells [5]. This work is preclinical.

ACTH-like peptides and brain gene expression after experimental stroke in rats

Ischemic stroke results from a disruption of cerebral blood flow. ACTH serves as the basis for synthetic peptides developed as neuroprotective agents for stroke therapy. Using RNA-Seq, researchers identified differentially expressed genes associated with ACTH(4-7)PGP (Semax) and ACTH(6-9)PGP peptides under cerebral ischemia conditions. Analysis was carried out at 4.5 hours after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) in the ipsilateral frontal cortex of rat brain. A later analysis examined the penumbra-associated frontal cortex of rats and the actions of the same peptides at 24 hours after tMCAO [6]. This evidence is animal-only.

Reactive oxygen species and cerebral blood flow regulation in healthy adults

A registered study is testing the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in regulating cerebral blood flow. Thirty participants (15 males and 15 females) aged 18–40 years and considered healthy will be enrolled, with two study visits over a 6-month period [7].

Dasatinib and quercetin in older adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease

A pilot study is demonstrating the safety and feasibility of intermittent doses of dasatinib and quercetin (D+Q) in older adults at risk of Alzheimer's disease. The study will evaluate whether D+Q may improve cerebral blood flow regulation, mobility, and cognition in this population, and thus may prevent progression to Alzheimer's disease [8].

Nutritional intervention and oral health in older adults with complete dentures

A clinical trial is testing a nutritional intervention for older adults who wear complete removable dentures. The study aims to answer questions about participants' life experiences living with complete dentures before the intervention, and whether the intervention improves diet quality, nutritional status, chewing performance, muscle strength, masticatory muscle thickness, and stress and muscle health markers in saliva [3]. Cerebral blood flow is not a stated endpoint in this record.

Mediterranean diet, physical activity, and cognitive function in older adults

A scoping review examined the effect of the Mediterranean diet combined with physical activity on cognitive function in older adults. It reports that cognitive impairment and dementia are increasing among older adults, with limited pharmacological treatments available, and that modifiable lifestyle factors, particularly diet and physical activity, are promising preventive targets [9]. This is a reference-only source and does not report CBF measurements.

Brain synergy dysfunction in heart failure

A multimodal neuroimaging study applied an integrated information decomposition framework to resting-state fMRI from 48 heart failure patients with reduced and mildly reduced ejection fraction. The work addresses altered brain information processing in heart failure, a condition frequently accompanied by cognitive and affective impairments [10]. This is a reference-only source.

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