6/6 (in response to faster oscillations in blood pressure), a population well adapted to high altitude. Whether this represents an adaptation or a maladaptation remains to be determined.

5/n Preservation of this "hysteresis-like pattern" could therefore protect cerebral vessels from the increases in blood pressure associated with altitude. However, the directional sensitivity in the relationship between blood pressure and cerebral blood flow is absent in Sherpas ...

4/n The results from this analysis suggest that acute exposure and partial acclimatization to high altitude (5050 m) do not influence the presence of directional sensitivity in the cerebral pressure-flow relationship (which is good news!).

3/n We know that changes in cerebral blood flow are better ‘buffered’ when blood pressure acutely increases, compared to when it acutely decreases. This phenomenon (i.e. directional sensitivity or hysteresis-like pattern) could be protective for our brain.

2/n For this work, Shahrzad had access to data collected at Everest base camp from individuals who normally live at sea level (lowlanders) and individuals who are well adapted to high altitude (Sherpas)! A nice collaboration with Jon Smirl, Kurt Smith, Sam Lucas, Phil Ainslie and François Billaut !