Dorsal column stimulation

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Abstract
Plasma and CSF catecholamines were measured in 3 patients with multiple sclerosis who had dorsal column stimulators placed at the T[thoracic]5-7 levels. Stimulation for 3 min and 20 min increased release of plasma norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine, and norepinephrine into the CSF. Neither dopamine nor epinephrine was released into the spinal fluid during or after stimulation. Percutaneous stimulation did not release catecholamines into the plasma or spinal fluid, suggesting that these findings were not simply related to sensory stimulation or stress. Plasma catecholamine levels were inconsistently correlated with pulse rate changes during and after stimulation but not with blood pressure, although the changes in pulse rate and blood pressure were relatively small compared to changes in plasma catecholamines. Plasma catecholamines and spinal fluid norepinephrine may reflect central activation of sympathetic nervous system pathways and are more reliable indicators of sympathetic activity than changes in cardiovascular function.