Question
David L. Rozeboom wrote:

>First I must ask: How are you measuring the sympathetic and >paraympathetic function and balance?

Well, I've read about the symptoms of severe spinal-cord/brain injuries regarding circulatory function. Most noteable are extensive dilation of blood vessels throughout the body, as well as a significant decrease in heart rate. These symptoms indicates lack of sympathetic stimulation and/or an increase in parasympathetic tone.

I've never read about case of head or neck injury where the patient experiences symptoms that signal a decrease in parasympathetic tone or an increase in sympathetic excitation. Are there any such cases?

Answer
Green:

Ok!

I am not ready or willing to agree with your conclusion that:

extensive dilation of blood vessels throughout the body, as well as a significant decrease in heart rate." indicates a decrease in sympathetic activity and/or an increase in parasympathetic activity. There are specific neurological and electronic testing measures which will measure the balance and that is the only way I know to measuring it.

So, you are starting with a flawed premise, from my perspective.

I know of no studies that show a specific change in autonomic system balance with head or spine injuries. It would depend on the effect of the injury. Did it cause enough damage to kill the function of the nerves, just reduce the function of the nerves or did it actually stimulate the function of the nerves?

The parasympathetic originates from the sacrum and cranium and the sympathetic originate from the spine, mainly the thoracic spine. So the effect would also depend on the site of the injury.

The short answer is "I don't know the answer to that"

Does this answer your question?

Dr. Rozeboom