Neural control of cardiorespiratory function following cervical spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury not only influences locomotion but also impairs cardiorespiratory function due to interruption of bulbospinal respiratory pathways, supraspinal vasomotor pathways and damage of spinal respiratory motoneurons. It has been demonstrated that cardiorespiratory compromise is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality following cervical spinal cord injury. The goal of our research is to understand the impact of spinal cord injury on the cardiorespiratory system and develop potential therapeutic interventions to improve cardiorespiratory function after spinal cord injury.