We are thrilled to share a groundbreaking development in the field of spinal cord injury therapy—a major step towards restoring natural movement after paralysis. A recent publication in Nature has highlighted a remarkable breakthrough achieved by an international research team from Switzerland, France, USA, UK and Netherlands.
In this study, researchers successfully restored communication between the brain and the specific region of the spinal cord responsible for walking, offering hope to individuals with chronic tetraplegia. By creating a digital bridge, known as the Brain-Spine Interface (BSI), the team enabled a participant to stand and walk naturally in community settings.
The BSI involves fully implanted recording and stimulation systems, establishing a direct connection between cortical signals from the brain and the modulation of epidural electrical stimulation targeted at the spinal cord regions involved in walking.
Astonishingly, the participant has reported experiencing natural control over leg movements, enabling activities such as standing, walking, climbing stairs, and navigating challenging terrains. Notably, neurorehabilitation supported by the BSI has contributed to improved neurological recovery.The participant has even regained the ability to walk with crutches overground, demonstrating the lasting impact of this digital bridge. This achievement paves the way for restoring natural movement control after paralysis.
This research represents a significant advancement and is an encouraging marker of the progress being made towards understanding and overcoming the challenges of spinal cord injuries.
We congratulate the researchers involved in this remarkable study and celebrate this incredible leap forward in spinal cord injury therapy!
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Picture: from Richard Reid on Pixabay
