Auton Neurosci., 2022 · DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2021.102905 · Published: January 1, 2022
Spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to blood pressure instability, including orthostatic hypotension (OH) and autonomic dysreflexia (AD), increasing the risk of vascular diseases. Electrical stimulation of the spinal cord is being explored as a potential therapy to normalize blood pressure by targeting the spinal circuitry that controls the cardiovascular system. Research suggests spinal cord stimulation can help restore blood pressure control in individuals with SCI, but more studies are needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and optimal stimulation parameters.
Spinal cord electrical stimulation could offer a novel approach to manage blood pressure instability in individuals with SCI, potentially reducing their risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Further research is needed to optimize stimulation parameters, identify specific spinal cord targets, and understand the mechanisms of action underlying the effects of spinal cord electrical stimulation on blood pressure regulation.
Refining protocols for spinal cord electrical stimulation could lead to wider clinical implementation of this technology, improving the quality of life for individuals with SCI experiencing blood pressure instability.