London, Dec 29: Minute balance organs located deep within the inner ear are reported to directly alter blood flow to the brain, a new study finds.
Previous studies had reported that balance control is the main role of the inner ear comprised of the semi-circular canals, utricle and saccule.
The Harvard Medical School team, however, reported that these organs also affect the brain blood flow.
According to the study published in BMC Neuroscience, utricle and saccule directly affects brain blood flow regulation, independent of other factors such as blood pressure.
“Standing up places the head above the heart and thus makes it harder to provide blood flow to the brain,” said lead researcher Dr. Serrador.
This connection is probably an adopting strategy that enables brain to receive enough blood when the individual is standing upright.
–Agencies