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Clinical Autonomic Research
Published in: Clinical Autonomic Research 1/2010

01-02-2010 | Research Article

Cognitive performance in hypotensive persons with spinal cord injury

Authors: Adejoke B. Jegede, Dwindally Rosado-Rivera, William A. Bauman, Christopher P. Cardozo, Mary Sano, Jeremy M. Moyer, Monifa Brooks, Jill Maria Wecht

Published in: Clinical Autonomic Research | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Background

Due to sympathetic de-centralization, individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), especially those with tetraplegia, often present with hypotension, worsened with upright posture. Several investigations in the non-SCI population have noted a relationship between chronic hypotension and deficits in memory, attention and processing speed and delayed reaction times.

Objective

To determine cognitive function in persons with SCI who were normotensive or hypotensive over a 24-h observation period while maintaining their routine activities.

Methods

Subjects included 20 individuals with chronic SCI (2–39 years), 13 with tetraplegia (C4–8) and 7 with paraplegia (T2–11). Individuals with hypotension were defined as having a mean 24-h systolic blood pressure (SBP) below 110 mmHg for males and 100 mmHg for females, and having spent ≥50% of the total time below these gender-specific thresholds. The cognitive battery used included assessment of memory (CVLT), attention and processing speed (Digit Span, Stroop word and color and Oral Trails A), language (COWAT) and executive function (Oral Trails B and Stroop color–word).

Results

Demographic parameters did not differ among the hypotensive and normotensive groups; the proportion of individuals with tetraplegia (82%) was higher in the hypotensive group. Memory was significantly impaired (P < 0.05) and there was a trend toward slowed attention and processing speed (P < 0.06) in the hypotensive compared to the normotensive group.

Interpretation

These preliminary data suggest that chronic hypotension in persons with SCI is associated with deficits in memory and possibly attention and processing speed, as previously reported in the non-SCI population.
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Metadata
Title
Cognitive performance in hypotensive persons with spinal cord injury
Authors
Adejoke B. Jegede
Dwindally Rosado-Rivera
William A. Bauman
Christopher P. Cardozo
Mary Sano
Jeremy M. Moyer
Monifa Brooks
Jill Maria Wecht
Publication date
01-02-2010
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Clinical Autonomic Research / Issue 1/2010
Print ISSN: 0959-9851
Electronic ISSN: 1619-1560
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10286-009-0036-z

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