Physiology · CSF, Blood-Brain Barrier and Cerebral Circulation

The classical quantitative method for measuring human cerebral blood flow uses inhalation of low concentrations of nitrous oxide and applies the Fick principle by sampling arterial and jugular venous blood. This technique is credited to:

  • A Lundberg and Monro
  • B Starling and Gaskell
  • C Kety and Schmidt
  • D Cushing and Kocher
Correct answer: C. Kety and Schmidt

Explanation

Kety and Schmidt introduced the nitrous oxide inhalation method in the 1940s, measuring global cerebral blood flow from the rate of uptake of the inert gas, using the Fick principle with paired arterial and internal jugular venous samples. It yielded the classic adult value near 50 mL per 100 g brain per minute. Starling described microvascular fluid exchange, Lundberg described ICP waveforms, and Cushing described the intracranial pressure reflex.

Reference: Ganong's Review of Medical Physiology, 26th ed.

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