Brain Freeze "Brain Freeze" Headaches-Known to Scientists as Sphenopalatine Ganglioneuralgia -Are Most
Brain Freeze
"Brain Freeze" headaches-known to scientists as sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia -are most often triggered when cold food or drink comes into contact with the roof of your mouth. In order to discover more about this phenomenon, researchers at Harvard Medical School hooked volunteers up to trans-cranial Dopplers, machines that allow scientists to study blood flow in the brain. The volunteers were then given cups of ice water and instructed to drink it using a straw held right up against the roof of the mouth. The volunteer gave a signal when he or she felt a "brain freeze" headache begin and another signal when it ended.
This experiment allowed the scientists to observe changes in brain blood flow before, during, and after a "brain freeze" headache. The scientists found that when the subjects were experiencing a "brain freeze", the anterior cerebral artery (a major blood vessel in the brain) dilated rapidly. Because the artery becomes wider, more blood flows into the brain. This creates an increase in pressure inside the skull, which is what causes the pain. As soon as the artery shrinks to its normal size, the "brain freeze" headache disappears.
This may explain why "brain freeze" headaches hurt, but it does not tell us why they happen in the first place. Scientists do not yet have any definite answers to this question, but they do have some ideas. One theory suggested by the researchers at Harvard Medical School is that a brain freeze is a way of protecting the brain from cold. When the anterior cerebral artery dilates, it allows a flood of warm blood inside the brain, thus keeping it warm.
According to the passage, what was the result of the experiment?
A) Scientists understood why brain freeze happens.
B) Scientists discovered the anterior cerebral artery.
C) Scientists received a possible explanation as to why brain freeze is uncomfortable.
D) Scientists were made aware that more blood flow can decrease pain during the phenomenon.
Correct Answer:
Verified
Q244: Women in Clinical Trials
When new drugs or
Q245: Soda Ban
Cigarettes. Alcohol. Drugs. Most people agree
Q246: Glowing in the Dark
Have you ever wondered
Q247: Preventing Heart Disease
Heart disease is a life-threatening
Q248: Wrinkles
Skin wrinkles are caused by a variety
Q250: Preventing Heart Disease
Heart disease is a life-threatening
Q251: The future of space travel may not
Q252: Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is the inability to
Q253: During the 18th century, toll roads began
Q254: Diabetes
There are two types of diabetes: Type
Unlock this Answer For Free Now!
View this answer and more for free by performing one of the following actions
Scan the QR code to install the App and get 2 free unlocks
Unlock quizzes for free by uploading documents