Making the Invisible Visible: Understanding Autonomic Dysfunctions Following Spinal Cord Injury

Lucas Rempel; Rahul Sachdeva; Andrei V Krassioukov

doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2024.07.002

Making the Invisible Visible: Understanding Autonomic Dysfunctions Following Spinal Cord Injury

Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2025 Feb;36(1):17-32. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2024.07.002. Epub 2024 Oct 21.

Authors

Lucas Rempel¹, Rahul Sachdeva², Andrei V Krassioukov³

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; ICORD-BSCC, UBC, 818 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
² International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; ICORD-BSCC, UBC, 818 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
³ International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; ICORD-BSCC, UBC, 818 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 39567034
DOI: 10.1016/j.pmr.2024.07.002

Abstract

Autonomic dysfunctions are a major challenge to individuals following spinal cord injury. Despite this, these consequences receive far less attention compared with motor recovery. This review will highlight the major autonomic dysfunctions following SCI predominantly based on our present understanding of the anatomy and physiology of autonomic control and available clinical data.

Keywords: Autonomic dysreflexia; Autonomic nervous system; Blood pressure; Neurogenic bowel; Neurogenic lower urinary tract; Orthostatic hypotension; Spinal cord injury; Thermoregulation.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Autonomic Dysreflexia / etiology
Autonomic Dysreflexia / physiopathology
Autonomic Nervous System / physiopathology
Autonomic Nervous System Diseases* / etiology
Autonomic Nervous System Diseases* / physiopathology
Humans
Spinal Cord Injuries* / complications
Spinal Cord Injuries* / physiopathology