Spinal vasomotor reflex and Cushing response.

A spinal vasomotor reflex that resembles the Cushing response (CR) can be evoked also by isolated intraspinal hypertension. The intensity of the spinal vasomotor reflex (SVR) depends primarily on the length of the isolated spinal cord, i.e., on the total vegetative elements that participate in this mechanism. The vasopressor effect produced by isolated intraspinal hypertension may be the consequence of ischaemia of the spinal vegetative structures. Cur data suggest that in the case of increased intracranial pressure, when craniospinal connections are free and there is no impaction, the CR is due not only the vasomotor centre in the brain stem, but also to spinal vegetative structures.