Related Experiment Videos
Dorsal column stimulation: Effect on human cerebrospinal fluid and plasma catecholamines
Neurology
|January 1, 1980
Summary
Dorsal column stimulation in multiple sclerosis patients increases plasma catecholamines and cerebrospinal fluid norepinephrine. These changes indicate central sympathetic nervous system activation, offering a more reliable measure than cardiovascular responses.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease affecting the central nervous system.
- Dorsal column stimulation (DCS) is used to manage chronic pain in some neurological conditions.
- Understanding the physiological effects of DCS on the autonomic nervous system is crucial.
Observation:
- Three MS patients with T5-7 dorsal column stimulators were studied.
- Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) catecholamine levels were measured during and after DCS.
- Percutaneous stimulation served as a control to differentiate effects.
Findings:
- DCS significantly increased plasma norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine.
- Norepinephrine was also elevated in the CSF following DCS.
- CSF dopamine and epinephrine levels did not change, and percutaneous stimulation showed no catecholamine release.
- Plasma catecholamine changes showed weak correlation with heart rate and no correlation with blood pressure.
Implications:
- DCS activates central sympathetic nervous system pathways.
- Plasma catecholamines and CSF norepinephrine are sensitive indicators of sympathetic activity during DCS.
- These neurochemical markers may be more reliable than cardiovascular parameters for assessing autonomic response to DCS.