Intracranial Pressure and Brain Function: Effects of Head Down Tilt Upon Brain Perfusion and Cognitive Performance

The aim of the study is to understand the relationship between intracranial pressure regulation, cerebral tissue oxygenation and cognitive functioning. More specifically, the study tests the hypothesis that head down tilt will increase intracranial pressure (not measured in this study, but demonstrated in previous studies), will induce venous congestion and facial swelling, decrease intracranial tissue oxygenation and hamper brain functioning. The objectives of the study therefore are to assess young healthy people during head-down tilt (HDT), and to assess cognitive brain functioning, cerebral tissue oxygenation (non-invasively), frontal skin thickness, cerebral perfusion and neuronal functioning via event-related potentials.