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Understanding Autonomic Function After Spinal Cord Injury

This study aims to understand how the autonomic nervous system (which controls automatic body functions like blood pressure and heart rate) works after a spinal cord injury. Researchers will use tests like a bolus phenylephrine infusion (a medicine that affects blood pressure), a cold pressor test (placing a hand or foot in cold water), and Valsalva's maneuver (a breathing technique) to see how your body responds. The main goal is to measure how well your body can adjust blood pressure using Valsalva's maneuver. You may be able to join if you are between 18 and 50 years old and have a traumatic spinal cord injury. The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status and plans to enroll 69 participants.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 69 participants, including individuals with and without spinal cord injuries. It is not specified if the study is randomized or blinded.
What's involved
You will undergo laboratory-based diagnostic tests, including a bolus phenylephrine infusion, cold pressor tests of the hand and foot, and Valsalva's maneuver. The Valsalva Maneuver Phase II will be measured during these diagnostic testing sessions.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Not specified.

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NCT04493372

Deciphering Preserved Autonomic Function After Spinal Cord Injury

Recruiting
NAAges 18–50InterventionalDiagnostic
Mayo Clinic
~69 participants
Updated 2026-05-28 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Tests of sympathetic inhibitionTests of sympathetic activationTesting of autonomic dysreflexia

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Valsalva Maneuver Phase II
Measured over During laboratory diagnostic testing session

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries
Autonomic Imbalance
Autonomic Dysreflexia
Orthostatic Hypotension

Explore related trials

Spinal Cord Injury

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Minnesota1

Study leadership

  • Ryan Solinsky, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Mayo Clinic

Who to contact

Erin Lund
[email protected]
507-284-9298
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Adult onset, traumatic spinal cord injury.
American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale, A-D, to encompass a spectrum of autonomic dysfunction after spinal cord injury.
Neurological level of injury, C1-T12, as defined by the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury. Incorporating level of injury down to T12 to encompass a broad range of autonomic dysfunction.

Exclusion

History of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, neurologic disorders (with exception of spinal cord injury), or diabetes.
Women who are pregnant or lactating.
Currently taking blood thinners.
Pacemaker, implanted defibrillator, or intrathecal pump incompatible with MRI scanning.
Cognitive issues preventing informed consent for participation.
Body mass index \>30 kg/m2 for controls, in an effort to limit effects of early cardiovascular disease and diabetes in control population. Body mass index has not proven to be a good estimate of these factors following spinal cord injury.

What this trial measures

  • Valsalva Maneuver Phase IIDuring laboratory diagnostic testing session

    Presence or absence of phase II on Valsalva maneuver testing, which takes approximately 15 seconds to complete. This will be repeated x3.