Whole body measurements using near-infrared spectroscopy in a rat spinal cord contusion injury model

Background Spinal cord injuries cause great damage to the central nervous system as well as the peripheral vasculature. While treatments for spinal cord injury typically focus on the spine itself, improvements in the function of the peripheral vasculature after spinal cord injury have shown to improve overall neurological recovery. Objective This study focused on the use of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) as a mode to monitor cerebral and peripheral vascular condition non-invasively during the recovery process. Design Animal research study. Methods Rats underwent spinal contusion or sham injury and relative concentrations of de-/oxyhemoglobin (Delta[HbO]/Delta[Hb]) over time were measured over the cerebral, spinal, and pedal regions via NIRS. Correlational relationships across the body were determined. Rats received 1 NIRS measurement before injury and 3 after injury: 4, 7, and 14 days post. Results Correlational relationships between signals across the body, between animals with and without spinal cord injury, indicate that NIRS was able to detect patterns of vascular change in the spine and the periphery occurring secondary to spinal cord injury and evolving during subsequent recovery. Additionally, NIRS determined an overall correlational decrease within the central nervous system, between spinal and cerebral measurements. Conclusion NIRS was able to closely reflect physiologic changes in the rat during recovery, demonstrating a promising method to monitor whole body hemodynamics after spinal cord injury.