Transcutaneous Spinal Neuromodulation to Normalize Autonomic Phenotypes
This study looks to characterize autonomic nervous system dysfunction after spinal cord injury and identify the potential role that transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation may play at altering neuroregulation. The autonomic nervous system plays key parts in regulation of blood pressure, skin blood flow, and bladder health- all issues that individuals with spinal cord injury typically encounter complications. For both individuals with spinal cord injury and uninjured controls, experiments will utilize multiple parallel recordings to identify how the autonomic nervous system is able to inhibit and activate sympathetic signals. The investigators anticipate that those with autonomic dysfunction after spinal cord injury will exhibit abnormalities in these precise metrics. In both study populations, transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation will be added, testing previously advocated parameters to alter autonomic neuroregulation. In accomplishing this, the investigators hope to give important insights to how the autonomic nervous system works after spinal cord injury and if it's function can be improved utilizing neuromodulation.
⁃ All participants
⁃ \- age 18-30 years old.
⁃ Participants with spinal cord injury
• Adult onset, traumatic spinal cord injury.
• Time since injury 1 year, in an effort to limit baroreflex desensitization.
• American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale, A, to limit potential confounders.
• Neurological level of injury, T1-T6, as defined by the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury.