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Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography Monitoring of Cerebral Hemodynamics During Performance of Cognitive Tasks: A Review

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Abstract

The examination of blood flow velocity (BFV) changes during the performance of mental tasks is one of the applications of transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography. The purpose of this review is to summarize the results of the functional TCD literature, to investigate the effects of methodological differences between studies, and to provide guidelines for future research. It is concluded that larger series of more homogeneous groups concerning age and handedness, and stricter criteria for subject selection and laboratory setting are required. The implication of quantitative and qualitative performance measures and psychological parameters (motivation, anxiety, and task anticipation) could also yield important information. We recommend future agreement upon a more standardized methodology. TCD promises to be a useful tool to provide further insight into the cerebral organization and temporal reactivity of the human brain.

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  1. Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology and the Center for Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital, University of Ghent, Ghent, 4K3, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Nathalie Stroobant

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium

    Guy Vingerhoets

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  1. Nathalie Stroobant
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Stroobant, N., Vingerhoets, G. Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography Monitoring of Cerebral Hemodynamics During Performance of Cognitive Tasks: A Review. Neuropsychol Rev 10, 213–231 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026412811036

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