Linking dynamic cerebral autoregulation and inhibitory executive function: Role of modifiable behaviours

Dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA) stabilises cerebral blood flow (CBF) against rapid fluctuations in perfusion pressure and may serve as a key physiological mediator of cognitive function. Inhibitory executive function, a core domain essential for goal-directed behaviour, is influenced by modifiable lifestyle factors such as physical activity and dietary behaviours, yet the mechanisms linking these behaviours to inhibitory executive function remain poorly understood. This review synthesises evidence examining the relationship between dCA and inhibitory executive function in response to feasible behavioural interventions. Acute aerobic exercise (AE) preserves dCA and enhances inhibitory control, whereas exhaustive AE impairs both. Similarly, dietary behaviours such as breakfast skipping or post-prandial hyperglycaemia acutely reduce dCA and inhibitory executive performance, suggesting a potential mechanistic link between vascular regulation and cognitive outcomes in short-term contexts. Long-term effects of physical activity on the dCA-inhibitory executive function relationship are less clear, likely reflecting complex interactions among vascular, metabolic and neural systems. While causal pathways remain to be fully elucidated, impaired dCA may contribute to reduced inhibitory control, highlighting its potential role as a physiological mediator. Conversely, maintaining intact dCA may be critical for supporting cognitive performance. Understanding how modifiable behaviours influence both dCA and inhibitory control provides novel insights into the physiological mechanisms underlying cognitive health. These findings could inform lifestyle-based strategies aimed at optimising inhibitory executive function and preserving cognitive performance across the lifespan.