A team of researchers has conducted a study that highlights a promising new approach to treating low blood pressure in people with chronic spinal cord injuries. The researchers discovered that a particular type of implant, which stimulates the abdominal muscles, can effectively manage low blood pressure, a common complication that patients with a spinal cord injury often face. The study’s findings offer hope for people who have suffered from chronic low blood pressure and the associated symptoms for a long time, and could transform their daily life.
Jordan W. Squair, a researcher with NeuroRestore at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), has been awarded the 2023 BioInnovation Institute & Science Award for Innovation for his pioneering work creating a neuroprosthetic baroreflex implant that can treat the low blood pressure associated with spinal cord injuries. The treatment involves transmitting electrical stimulation to a specific set of spinal neurons, improving blood pressure control in spinal cord injury patients, decreasing their risk of fainting and other complications and improving their safety and quality of life. The implant has also been shown to be effective in treating a woman with severe motor and autonomic nervous system disease whose low blood pressure meant she could not stand for more than a few minutes at a time – after receiving the implant, she was able to walk several hundred meters immediately and stopped fainting.
Spinal cord injuries can cause blood pressure to drop dangerously low when posture changes, such as moving to a sitting or standing position. This can keep patients bedridden, dizzy, nauseous, or prone to fainting, and is currently treated using conservative measures such as compression stockings, an abdominal binder or a high salt diet. However, even with these measures in place, most patients still experience symptoms.
The implant works by expanding the use of epidural electrical stimulation (EES), which has previously been used to restore movement and sensation. Squair and his colleagues at EPFL and the University of Calgary found that stimulating the last three thoracic segments of the spine, which contain the most neurons relevant for controlling blood pressure, was the most effective way to improve blood pressure control in spinal cord injury patients. This hotspot of neurons has been identified in a range of species, meaning that the implant may be useful in treating acute phase spinal cord injuries, where blood pressure can be unstable, and clinical trials could begin next year. Additionally, the implant may offer a way to monitor blood pressure continuously in patients once they leave the hospital.
The BioInnovation Institute & Science Award for Innovation honours researchers who work at the interface between biological sciences and entrepreneurship, and this year’s finalists were noted for conducting exceptional research. Jens Nielsen, CEO at BioInnovation Institute, praised the winners, stating that “their work combines cutting edge science with entrepreneurial spirit, aligning with BII’s goals of improving human and planetary health.”
In conclusion, spinal cord injuries can lead to a range of health complications, including low blood pressure. However, as this study has discovered, a revolutionary implant offers hope to those individuals who suffer from this condition. While the technology is still in the early stages, the initial results have been highly encouraging, pointing towards a brighter future for those with spinal cord injuries. The potential benefits of this treatment go beyond simply alleviating the symptoms of low blood pressure; it represents a massive breakthrough in the field of spinal cord injury research. We look forward to further updates on this promising development and the hope it brings to those who are living with spinal cord injuries.
