EDITORIAL: SOMATIC AND AUTONOMIC UPREGULATION IN THE QUADRIPLEGIC PATIENT

Patients with chronic spinal cord transection develop both somatic and autonomic denervation below the level of denervation. This can result in “up-regulation” of both the somatic and adrenergic receptors below the level of the cord transection, with a subsequent increased sensitivity to the chemical transmitter at both the neuromuscular junctions and the adrenergic receptors.