2015 ParaPan American Games: Autonomic Function, but Not Physical Activity, is Associated with Vascular-Cognitive Impairment in Spinal Cord Injury

Autonomic dysfunction and diminished capacity for physical exercise are commonly implicated in the 3- to 4-fold increased risk of cerebrovascular disease after spinal cord injury (SCI). We assessed cerebrovascular function (transcranial Doppler; neurovascular coupling [NVC], and cerebral pressure-flow regulation) in elite national level wheelchair rugby players (n = 23), normally active SCI individuals (n = 12), and able-bodied controls (n = 13). Cognitive (Stroop test) and autonomic function (postural change) also were evaluated. SCI individuals demonstrated reduced posterior cerebral blood flow, as well as impaired cerebrovascular and cognitive function. Autonomic dysfunction but not physical activity was related to impaired NVC and cerebral pressure-flow regulation after SCI. Routine upper-body exercise, as utilized by elite wheelchair rugby athletes, may not elicit beneficial cerebrovascular effects. On the other hand, autonomic dysfunction needs to be considered a key culprit in cerebrovascular diseases after SCI.