Characterizing cerebrovascular dynamics with the wavelet-based multifractal formalism

Using the wavelet-transform modulus maxima (WTMM) approach we study the dynamics of cerebral blood flow (CBF) in rats aiming to reveal responses of macro- and microcerebral circulations to changes in the peripheral blood pressure. We show that the wavelet-based multifractal formalism allows quantifying essentially different reactions in the CBF-dynamics at the level of large and small cerebral vessels. We conclude that unlike the macrocirculation that is nearly insensitive to increased peripheral blood pressure, the microcirculation is characterized by essential changes of the CBF-complexity.