Cerebral oxygenation and neuropsychological adaptation

Abstract

This paper describes current evidence that relates oxygen availability to neurobehavioral variables. Long-term effects on behavior of reduced oxygen supply to the brain are described in three clinical conditions. In addition, studies are presented in which controlled oxygen supply is enhanced to attempt amelioration of systemic oxygen deficit and correct behavioral impairment. Possibilities for the direct reversal of the primary causes of secondary neuropsychological deficit—as seen in these studies—may serve as an example for new research directions in clinical neuropsychology. Increasing emphasis should be placed on studies of neurobehavioral dysfunction with lowered cerebral oxygenation resulting from medically reversible conditions.