NCT04493372

Brief Summary

This study looks to characterize gradients of dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system after spinal cord injury. The autonomic nervous system plays key roles in regulation of blood pressure, skin blood flow, and bladder health- all issues that individuals with spinal cord injury typically suffer. Focusing on blood pressure regulation, the most precise metric with broad clinical applicability, the investigators will perform laboratory-based tests to probe the body's ability to generate autonomic responses. For both individuals with spinal cord injury and uninjured controls, laboratory-based experiments will utilize multiple parallel recordings to identify how the autonomic nervous system is able to inhibit and activate signals. The investigators anticipate that those with autonomic dysfunction after spinal cord injury will exhibit abnormalities in these precise metrics. The investigators will further have research participants wear a smart watch that tracks skin electrical conductance, heart rate, and skin temperature, which can all provide clues as to the degree of autonomic dysfunction someone may suffer at home. The investigators will look to see if any substantial connections exist between different degrees of preserved autonomic function and secondary autonomic complications from spinal cord injury. In accomplishing this, the investigators hope to give scientists important insights to how the autonomic nervous system works after spinal cord injury and give physicians better tools to manage these secondary autonomic complications.

Trial Health

77
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
69

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
4mo left

Started Nov 2020

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress94%
Nov 2020Sep 2026

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

July 17, 2020

Completed
13 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

July 30, 2020

Completed
4 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

November 13, 2020

Completed
5.8 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

September 8, 2026

Expected
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

September 8, 2026

Last Updated

May 1, 2026

Status Verified

April 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

5.8 years

First QC Date

July 17, 2020

Last Update Submit

April 27, 2026

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Valsalva Maneuver Phase II

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

    During laboratory diagnostic testing session

Secondary Outcomes (6)

  • Beat-to-beat heart rate

    During laboratory diagnostic testing session

  • Beat-to-beat blood pressure

    During laboratory diagnostic testing session

  • Continuous galvanic skin response

    During laboratory diagnostic testing session

  • Continuous wrist temperature

    During laboratory diagnostic testing session

  • Quantify autonomic dysreflexia and orthostatic hypotension

    Baseline, prior to laboratory diagnostic testing session

  • +1 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (2)

Individuals with spinal cord injury

EXPERIMENTAL
Diagnostic Test: Tests of sympathetic inhibitionDiagnostic Test: Tests of sympathetic activationDiagnostic Test: Testing of autonomic dysreflexia

Individuals without spinal cord injury

EXPERIMENTAL
Diagnostic Test: Tests of sympathetic inhibitionDiagnostic Test: Tests of sympathetic activationDiagnostic Test: Testing of autonomic dysreflexia

Interventions

Bolus phenylephrine infusion using the Oxford technique will generate the need to inhibit sympathetic activity. Similarly, resting state Mayer waves will be assessed with regard to heart rate and blood pressure responses.

Individuals with spinal cord injuryIndividuals without spinal cord injury

Cold pressor test of the hand will be used to cause sympathetic activation. Valsalva's maneuver will assess the ability to buffer against blood pressure fall (phase II).

Individuals with spinal cord injuryIndividuals without spinal cord injury

Cold pressor test of the foot and bladder pressor response (in individuals with SCI) will be tested.

Individuals with spinal cord injuryIndividuals without spinal cord injury

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 50 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • All subjects
  • \- age 18-50 years old.
  • Participants with spinal cord injury
  • 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.

You may not qualify if:

  • 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.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Mayo Clinic

Rochester, Minnesota, 55902, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Spinal Cord InjuriesAutonomic DysreflexiaHypotension, Orthostatic

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Spinal Cord DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System DiseasesTrauma, Nervous SystemWounds and InjuriesAutonomic Nervous System DiseasesOrthostatic IntolerancePrimary DysautonomiasHypotensionVascular DiseasesCardiovascular Diseases

Study Officials

  • Ryan Solinsky, MD

    Mayo Clinic

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
NON RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

July 17, 2020

First Posted

July 30, 2020

Study Start

November 13, 2020

Primary Completion (Estimated)

September 8, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

September 8, 2026

Last Updated

May 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations