Neurovascular Coupling of the Posterior Cerebral Artery in Spinal Cord Injury: A Pilot Study

Brain Sciences

Aaron A. Phillips¹  Andrei V. Krassioukov²  Mei Mu Zi Zheng¹ 

[1] Cardiovascular Physiology and Rehabilitation Laboratory, Physical Activity Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Unit, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z1, Canada; E-Mails:;International Collaboration of Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z1, Canada; E-Mail:

关键词: spinal cord injury;    neurovascular coupling;    posterior cerebral artery;   

DOI  :  10.3390/brainsci3020781

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Purpose: To compare neurovascular coupling in the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) between those with spinal cord injury (SCI) and able bodied (AB) individuals. Methods: A total of seven SCI and seven AB were matched for age and sex. Measures included PCA velocity (PCAv), beat-by-beat blood pressure and end-tidal carbon dioxide. Posterior cerebral cortex activation was achieved by 10 cycles of (1) 30 s eyes closed (pre-stimulation), (2) 30 s reading (stimulation). Results: Blood pressure was significantly reduced in those with SCI (SBP: 100 ± 13 mmHg; DBP: 58 ± 13 mmHg) vs. AB (SBP: 121 ± 12 mmHg; DBP: 74 ± 9 mmHg) during both pre-stimulation and stimulation, but the relative increase was similar during the stimulation period. Changes in PCAv during stimulation were mitigated in the SCI group (6% ± 6%) vs. AB (29% ± 12%, P < 0.001). Heart rate and end-tidal carbon dioxide responded similarly between groups. Conclusions: Clearly, NVC is impaired in those with SCI. This study may provide a link between poor perfusion of the posterior cerebral region (containing the medullary autonomic centres) and autonomic dysfunction after SCI.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.