Related Experiment Videos
Cerebral haemodynamic changes induced by spinal cord stimulation in man
P Mazzone1, G Rodriguez, A Arrigo
1Divisione di Neurochirurgia, Presidio Ospedaliero C.T.O., Roma, Italy.
Italian Journal of Neurological Sciences
|February 1, 1996
Summary
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) may enhance blood flow in the brain, particularly in the anterior regions. This study found increased regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in patients receiving cervical SCS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is known to affect cerebral perfusion.
- Previous studies in experimental models and humans suggest a link between SCS and brain blood flow.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of epidural spinal cord stimulation on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF).
- To further verify the influence of SCS on cerebral perfusion in human patients.
Main Methods:
- Twelve patients underwent percutaneous epidural lead insertion (cervical or dorsal).
- Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured using the 133-Xenon inhalation method before and during SCS.
- Mean blood velocity (MBV) in the middle cerebral artery was measured using transcranial Doppler in seven patients.
Main Results:
- Patients with a cervical lead showed a symmetrical increase in rCBF, primarily in anterior brain regions (+8% to +21%).
- Mean blood velocity (MBV) increased in four patients with cervical leads (+16% to +20%) and one with a dorsal lead (+15%).
Conclusions:
- Cervical spinal cord stimulation may lead to increased cerebral perfusion.
- The precise mechanism requires further investigation, but frontal lobe activation via thalamo-cortical pathways is hypothesized.