Laser Doppler Flowmetry to Measure Changes in Cerebral Blood Flow

Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) is a method by which relative cerebral blood flow (CBF) of the cortex can be measured. Although the method is easy to employ, LDF only measures relative CBF, while absolute CBF cannot be quantified. LDF is useful for investigating CBF changes in a number of different applications including neurovascular and stroke research. This chapter will prepare the reader for rodent experiments using LDF with two preparations. The closed skull preparation can be used to monitor CBF with an intact skull, but in adult rats, thinning of the skull is required to obtain an accurate cortical CBF signal. The open skull preparation requires a craniotomy to expose the surface of the brain and the LDF probe is held close to the surface to measure cerebral perfusion.