Relative vulnerability of the brain and spinal cord to ischemia

In this experiment CER and SER were monitored as blood flow was progressively lowered by lowering the systemic arterial pressure below the lower limits of autoregulation (bleeding). Blood flow in the brain and dorsal column of the spinal cord was monitored and recorded with the hydrogen clearance method. Long tract neural conduction in the spinal cord appeared quite refractory to the effects of ischemia and disappeared only after 8--18 min of essentially absolute ischemia. The CER was more sensitive to the effects of ischemia, disappearing first in one animal and returning later in all of the animals. The SER returned in all animals after re-infusion of the blood and re-establishment of the blood flow even after a 13--23 min period of absolute ischemia and a 5 min period of electrical silence.