Health

eppur_se_muova

(36,271 posts) Fri Jan 9, 2015, 11:15 AM Jan 2015

Elastic implant 'restores movement' in paralysed rats (BBC)

By James Gallagher
Health editor, BBC News website

An elastic implant that moves with the spinal cord can restore the ability to walk in paralysed rats, say scientists.

Implants are an exciting field of research in spinal cord injury, but rigid designs damage surrounding tissue and ultimately fail.

A team at Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) has developed flexible implants that work for months.

It was described by experts as a "groundbreaking achievement of technology".
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The same group of researchers showed that chemically and electrically stimulating the spinal cord after injury meant rats could "sprint over ground, climb stairs and even pass obstacles".
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more: http://www.bbc.com/news/health-30725899

3 replies

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Elastic implant 'restores movement' in paralysed rats (BBC) (Original Post) eppur_se_muova Jan 2015 OP

wouldn't that be remarkable d_r Jan 2015 #1

poor rats. Try it on human volunteers n/t n2doc Jan 2015 #2

I was going to criticize your post as being too concerned about rats vs. humans packman Jan 2015 #3

d_r

(6,907 posts)

1. wouldn't that be remarkable

Reply to eppur_se_muova (Original post)

Fri Jan 9, 2015, 11:27 AM

Jan 2015

if they can make it work for people?

n2doc

(47,953 posts)

2. poor rats. Try it on human volunteers n/t

Reply to eppur_se_muova (Original post)

Fri Jan 9, 2015, 12:38 PM

Jan 2015

packman

(16,296 posts)

3. I was going to criticize your post as being too concerned about rats vs. humans

Reply to n2doc (Reply #2)

Fri Jan 9, 2015, 12:46 PM

Jan 2015

but you're right. If I was paralyzed , I would be begging them to try it on me. Same with any experimental drug or device if I could benefit from it.
I know that prisoners often volunteer for such drug/medical experiments .

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