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A rat with spinal cord injury and paralyzed legs managed to walkagain after robot rehabilitation got its spinal brain working again and voluntary movement was restored. Swissresearchers reported that when the spinal cord of a rat's innateintelligence and regenerative capacity is activated again, severedsections of the spinal cord can start to function again. Althoughnot yet proven, the researchers believe there is a good chance thatthis technique could also be used with humans with paralysis due tospinal cord injury. The scientists, from the University of Zurich and the Swiss FederalInstitute of Technology reported their findings in the journal Science . The authors explained that researchers and experts have been tryingfor years to find ways of getting patients with spinal cordinjuries to walk again. Approximately half of all human spinal cordinjuries lead to long-term paralysis. Although previous studies have had some success in restoring somekind of movement in the limbs, even helping patients to walk in alimited way, this experiment uses a completely novel technique. In an Abstract in the journal Science , the authors wrote: "Here, we introduce an electrochemical neuroprosthesis and arobotic postural interface designed to encourage supraspinallymediated movements in rats with paralyzing lesions." The scientists managed to get the rats to walk and climb stairs.They stimulated the spinal nerve circuits of rats, and usedphysical training. Electrodes had been implanted and the rats weregiven injections with a neuron-activating chemical mix. The scientists fitted the rats with harnesses, so that their backlegs could reach the ground. They were then placed on a conveyorbelt which only moved if their feet pushed (reflexive stepping).They were also placed on stationary ground. In order to reach apiece of chocolate (on fixed ground) they would have to move theirhind legs. About two to three weeks after training started, they managed totake their first voluntary steps. However, in order not to fallover, they still needed to wear the harnesses. According to the scientists, the training resulted in an extensiverewiring in the spinal cord and brain. Over 100 of the rats intheir experiment are able to walk to some extent, to varyingdegrees. Lead researcher, Gregoire Courtine, said "This kind of approachwill not cure spinal cord injury." However, it appears most likelythat it may help paralyzed patients regain some independentmobility. In order to find out, human studies will need to beconducted. The authors concluded: "By encouraging active participation under functional states, ourtraining paradigm triggered a cortex-dependent recovery that mayimprove function after similar injuries in humans." Written by Christian Nordqvist Copyright: Medical News Today Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today Additional References Citations. The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as China NFC Speaker , Bluetooth Stereo Speakers, and more. For more , please visit Rechargeable Bluetooth Speakers today!
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