Started By
Message
Breakthrough in treating paralysis
Posted on 11/2/18 at 2:07 pm
Posted on 11/2/18 at 2:07 pm
Fantastic stuff here, from Science Daily :
This latest study, called STIMO (STImulation Movement Overground), establishes a new therapeutic framework to improve recovery from spinal cord injury. All patients involved in the study recovered voluntary control of leg muscles that had been paralyzed for many years. Unlike the findings of two independent studies published recently in the United States on a similar concept, neurological function was shown to persist beyond training sessions even when the electrical stimulation was turned off. The STIMO study, led by the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) in Switzerland, is published in the 1 November 2018 issues of Nature and Nature Neuroscience.
STIMO study participant David Mzee is now able to take a few steps of his own. He was totally paraplegic after a sports accident.
Credit: EPFL / Jean-Baptiste Mignardot
ScienceDaily
This latest study, called STIMO (STImulation Movement Overground), establishes a new therapeutic framework to improve recovery from spinal cord injury. All patients involved in the study recovered voluntary control of leg muscles that had been paralyzed for many years. Unlike the findings of two independent studies published recently in the United States on a similar concept, neurological function was shown to persist beyond training sessions even when the electrical stimulation was turned off. The STIMO study, led by the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) in Switzerland, is published in the 1 November 2018 issues of Nature and Nature Neuroscience.
STIMO study participant David Mzee is now able to take a few steps of his own. He was totally paraplegic after a sports accident.
Credit: EPFL / Jean-Baptiste Mignardot
ScienceDaily
4
Posted on 11/2/18 at 2:09 pm to Trumansfangs
Wow, that's great! Thanks for posting.
Posted on 11/2/18 at 2:15 pm to Trumansfangs
I know a woman that was paralyzed below the waist for almost two decades. A few years ago she went down to a doctor in Florida she had heard about. He had her walking in a few months.
I know, CSB.
I know, CSB.
Posted on 11/2/18 at 4:34 pm to Trumansfangs
quote:
Unlike the findings of two independent studies published recently in the United States on a similar concept,
What was different in the methodology used in the three studies?
Posted on 11/2/18 at 4:56 pm to Evolved Simian
Clicking that link I provided must be pure Hell on you !
The new rehabilitation protocols based on this targeted neurotechnology lead to improved neurological function by allowing the participants to actively train natural overground walking capabilities in the lab for extensive periods of time, as opposed to passive training like exoskeleton-assisted stepping.
During rehabilitation sessions, the three participants were able to walk hands-free over more than one kilometer with the help of targeted electrical stimulation and an intelligent bodyweight-support system. Moreover, they exhibited no leg-muscle fatigue, and so there was no deterioration in stepping quality. These longer, high-intensity training sessions proved crucial for triggering activity-dependent plasticity -- the nervous system's intrinsic ability to reorganize nerve fibers -- which leads to improved motor function even when the electrical stimulation is turned off.
Previous studies using more empirical approaches, such as continuous electrical stimulation protocols, have shown that a select few paraplegics can indeed take steps with the help of walking aids and electrical stimulation, but only over short distances and as long as the stimulation is on. As soon as the stimulation is turned off, the patients immediately return to their previous state of paralysis and are no longer able to activate leg movements.
The new rehabilitation protocols based on this targeted neurotechnology lead to improved neurological function by allowing the participants to actively train natural overground walking capabilities in the lab for extensive periods of time, as opposed to passive training like exoskeleton-assisted stepping.
During rehabilitation sessions, the three participants were able to walk hands-free over more than one kilometer with the help of targeted electrical stimulation and an intelligent bodyweight-support system. Moreover, they exhibited no leg-muscle fatigue, and so there was no deterioration in stepping quality. These longer, high-intensity training sessions proved crucial for triggering activity-dependent plasticity -- the nervous system's intrinsic ability to reorganize nerve fibers -- which leads to improved motor function even when the electrical stimulation is turned off.
Previous studies using more empirical approaches, such as continuous electrical stimulation protocols, have shown that a select few paraplegics can indeed take steps with the help of walking aids and electrical stimulation, but only over short distances and as long as the stimulation is on. As soon as the stimulation is turned off, the patients immediately return to their previous state of paralysis and are no longer able to activate leg movements.
Posted on 11/2/18 at 5:14 pm to Trumansfangs
That’s freakin awesome!
But deer antler spray is probably better (kidding)
But deer antler spray is probably better (kidding)
Page 1 of 1
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News