Stroke is a pathophysiological condition which results in alterations in cerebral blood flow (CBF). The mechanism by which the brain maintains adequate CBF in presence of fluctuating cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) is known as cerebral autoregulation (CA). Disturbances in CA may be influenced by a number of physiological pathways including the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The cerebrovascular system is innervated by adrenergic and cholinergic nerve fibers. The role of the ANS in regulating CBF is widely disputed owing to several factors including the complexity of the ANS and cerebrovascular interactions, limitations to measurements, variation in methods to assess the ANS in relation to CBF as well as experimental approaches that can or cannot provide insight into the sympathetic control of CBF. CA is known to be impaired in stroke however the number of studies investigating the mechanisms by which this occurs are limited. This literature review will focus on highlighting the assessment of the ANS and CBF via indices derived from the analyses of heart rate variability (HRV), and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), and providing a summary of both clinical and animal model studies investigating the role of the ANS in influencing CA in stroke. Understanding the mechanisms by which the ANS influences CBF in stroke patients may provide the foundation for novel therapeutic approaches to improve functional outcomes in stroke patients.

中风是一种导致脑血流 (CBF) 改变的病理生理状况。在脑灌注压 (CPP) 波动的情况下，大脑维持足够 CBF 的机制被称为脑自动调节 (CA)。CA 的紊乱可能会受到包括自主神经系统 (ANS) 在内的许多生理通路的影响。脑血管系统由肾上腺素能和胆碱能神经纤维支配。ANS 在调节 CBF 中的作用受到广泛争议，原因包括 ANS 和脑血管相互作用的复杂性、测量的局限性、评估 ANS 与 CBF 相关的方法的变化以及可以或不能提供的实验方法深入了解 CBF 的交感神经控制。已知 CA 在中风中受损，但调查其发生机制的研究数量有限。这篇文献综述将着重强调通过分析心率变异性 (HRV) 和压力反射敏感性 (BRS) 得出的指标对 ANS 和 CBF 的评估，并提供调查以下作用的临床和动物模型研究的总结ANS 在中风中影响 CA。了解 ANS 影响中风患者 CBF 的机制可能为改善中风患者功能结果的新治疗方法奠定基础。这篇文献综述将着重强调通过分析心率变异性 (HRV) 和压力反射敏感性 (BRS) 得出的指标对 ANS 和 CBF 的评估，并提供调查以下作用的临床和动物模型研究的总结ANS 在中风中影响 CA。了解 ANS 影响中风患者 CBF 的机制可能为改善中风患者功能结果的新治疗方法奠定基础。这篇文献综述将着重强调通过分析心率变异性 (HRV) 和压力反射敏感性 (BRS) 得出的指标对 ANS 和 CBF 的评估，并提供调查以下作用的临床和动物模型研究的总结ANS 在中风中影响 CA。了解 ANS 影响中风患者 CBF 的机制可能为改善中风患者功能结果的新治疗方法奠定基础。