Deciphering Preserved Autonomic Function After Spinal Cord Injury
Mayo Clinic
Summary
This study looks to characterize gradients of dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system after spinal cord injury. The autonomic nervous system plays key roles in regulation of blood pressure, skin blood flow, and bladder health- all issues that individuals with spinal cord injury typically suffer. Focusing on blood pressure regulation, the most precise metric with broad clinical applicability, the investigators will perform laboratory-based tests to probe the body's ability to generate autonomic responses. For both individuals with spinal cord injury and uninjured controls, laboratory-based experiments will utilize multiple parallel recordings to identify how the autonomic nervous system is able to inhibit and activate signals. The investigators anticipate that those with autonomic dysfunction after spinal cord injury will exhibit abnormalities in these precise metrics. The investigators will further have research participants wear a smart watch that tracks skin electrical conductance, heart rate, and skin temperature, which can all provide clues as to the degree of autonomic dysfunction someone may suffer at home. The investigators will look to see if any substantial connections exist between different degrees of preserved autonomic function and secondary autonomic complications from spinal cord injury. In accomplishing this, the investigators hope to give scientists important insights to how the autonomic nervous system works after spinal cord injury and give physicians better tools to manage these secondary autonomic complications.
Description
This study looks to characterize gradients of dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system after spinal cord injury. To accomplish this, we are enrolling both individuals with and without spinal cord injuries (see inclusion criteria). Individuals will undergo the listed diagnostics as part of a battery of laboratory testing. These will be correlated to clinical histories of autonomic dysfunction the ADFSCI and COMPASS-31 surveys (noted in outcome measures).
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–50 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: All subjects \- age 18-50 years old. Participants with spinal cord injury * Adult onset, traumatic spinal cord injury. * American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale, A-D, to encompass a spectrum of autonomic dysfunction after spinal cord injury. * Neurological level of injury, C1-T12, as defined by the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury. Incorporating level of injury down to T12 to encompass a broad range of autonomic dysfunction. Exclusion Criteria: * History of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, neurologic disord…
Interventions
- Diagnostic TestTests of sympathetic inhibition
Bolus phenylephrine infusion using the Oxford technique will generate the need to inhibit sympathetic activity. Similarly, resting state Mayer waves will be assessed with regard to heart rate and blood pressure responses.
- Diagnostic TestTests of sympathetic activation
Cold pressor test of the hand will be used to cause sympathetic activation. Valsalva's maneuver will assess the ability to buffer against blood pressure fall (phase II).
- Diagnostic TestTesting of autonomic dysreflexia
Cold pressor test of the foot and bladder pressor response (in individuals with SCI) will be tested.
Location
- Mayo ClinicRochester, Minnesota