Editing Cushing reflex (section)

===Function===

Raised intracranial pressure can ultimately result in the shifting or crushing of [[brain tissue]], which is detrimental to the physiological well-being of patients. As a result, the Cushing reflex is a last-ditch effort by the body to maintain [[homeostasis]] in the [[brain]]. It is widely accepted that the Cushing reflex acts as a [[baroreflex]], or homeostatic mechanism for the maintenance of blood pressure, in the cranial region.<ref name=Wan /> Specifically, the reflex mechanism can maintain normal cerebral blood flow and pressure under stressful situations such as ischemia or subarachnoid hemorrhages. A case report of a patient who underwent a spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage demonstrated that the Cushing reflex played a part in maintaining cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and cerebral blood flow.<ref name=Wan>{{cite journal | last = Wan| first = WH|author2=BT Ang |author3=E Wang | title = The cushing response: A case for a review of its role as a physiological reflex.| journal = J Clin Neurosci| volume = 15| issue = 3| pages = 223–8| date = Jan 7, 2008| doi = 10.1016/j.jocn.2007.05.025| pmid = 18182296| s2cid = 43225467}}</ref> Eventually, the ICP drops to a level range where a state of induced hypertension in the form of the Cushing reflex is no longer required. The Cushing reflex was then aborted, and CPP was maintained. It has also been shown that an increase in mean arterial pressure due to hypertension, characteristic of the reflex, can cause the normalization of CPP.<ref name=Dickinson /> This effect is protective, especially during increased intracranial pressure, which creates a drop in CPP.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Wittenberg |first1=Philippa |last2=McBryde |first2=Fiona D. |last3=Korsak |first3=Alla |last4=Rodrigues |first4=Karla L. |last5=Paton |first5=Julian F. R. |last6=Marina |first6=Nephtali |date=March 6, 2025 |title=On the regulation of arterial blood pressure by an intracranial baroreceptor mechanism |journal=The Journal of Physiology |doi=10.1113/JP285082 |pmid=39924875 |url=https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1113/JP285082|doi-access=free |pmc=7617620 }}</ref>