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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThis Device Lets Fully Paralyzed Rats Walk Again, and Human Trials Are Planned
http://motherboard.vice.com/read/this-device-lets-fully-paralyzed-rats-walk-again-and-human-trials-are-plannedIn the past few years, there have been some pretty impressive breakthroughs for those suffering from partial paralysis, but a frustrating lack of successes when it comes to those who are fully paralyzed. But a new technique pioneered by scientists working on project NEUWalk at the Swiss Federal Institute for Technology (EPFL) have figured out a way to reactivate the severed spinal cords of fully paralyzed rats, allowing them to walk again via remote control.
And, the researchers say, their system is just about ready for human trials.
Previous studies have had some success in using epidural electrical stimulation (EES) to improve motor control in rodents and humans with spinal cord injuries. However, electrocuting neurons in order to get allow natural walking is no easy task, and it requires extremely quick and precise stimulation.
As the researchers wrote in a study published in Science Translational Medicine, "manual adjustment of pulse width, amplitude, and frequency" of the electrical signal being supplied to the spinal cord was required in EES treatment, until now.
And, the researchers say, their system is just about ready for human trials.
Previous studies have had some success in using epidural electrical stimulation (EES) to improve motor control in rodents and humans with spinal cord injuries. However, electrocuting neurons in order to get allow natural walking is no easy task, and it requires extremely quick and precise stimulation.
As the researchers wrote in a study published in Science Translational Medicine, "manual adjustment of pulse width, amplitude, and frequency" of the electrical signal being supplied to the spinal cord was required in EES treatment, until now.
Very cool.
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This Device Lets Fully Paralyzed Rats Walk Again, and Human Trials Are Planned (Original Post)
Recursion
Sep 2014
OP
silverweb
(16,402 posts)1. Can't wait for an update.
[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]I tracked the original source back to [font face="Arial"]4/6/2012.
[font face="Verdana"]There have been no updates since that I can find, so I'm hoping that the human trials are under way and there will be wonderful news some time soon.
merrily
(45,251 posts)2. How I wish Christopher and Dana Reeve could read this.
When I was ill, Christopher Reeve was my example.
Best wishes to all who strive to make this useful for humans. If and when that happens, I hope to heaven it is not only the wealthy who can afford it.
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)3. Hope for some then.
Good news.
ReRe
(10,597 posts)4. Hallelujah!
Think of the veterans who will be helped in the future!
In the mean time, support http://www.pva.org
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