The effect of bilateral common carotid occlusion on systemic hemodynamics was investigated in the gerbil with and without bilateral carotid sinus denervation. Irrespective of the sinus denervation, telencephalic, severe ischemia produced significant changes in the heart rate and systemic arterial blood pressure, similar to those observed in cerebral ischemic response. These hemodynamic changes, associated with cerebral ischemia, may play an important role in affecting the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia itself.