Electrical stimulation allows patients with spinal cord injury to walk again
November 2, 2018 Source: Science and Technology Daily Author: Zhang Meng Ran
Window._bd_share_config={ "common":{ "bdSnsKey":{ },"bdText":"","bdMini":"2","bdMiniList":false,"bdPic":"","bdStyle":" 0","bdSize":"16"},"share":{ }};with(document)0[(getElementsByTagName('head')[0]||body).appendChild(createElement('script')) .src='http://bdimg.share.baidu.com/static/api/js/share.js?v=89860593.js?cdnversion='+~(-new Date()/36e5)];The British "Nature" magazine published a new neurological update on the 1st: three patients with spinal cord injury successfully achieved re-walking after receiving directional spinal cord stimulation. This study established a technical framework for enhancing neurological recovery after spinal cord injury.
Spinal cord injury can disrupt communication within the nervous system, leading to loss of basic nerve function and paralysis. Epidural Electrical Stimulation (EES), a stimulus applied to the spinal cord, restores the athletic ability of an animal model of spinal cord injury, but for unknown reasons, the technique is less effective in humans.
This time, Gregory Kortin of the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Switzerland, and colleagues applied directional EES to three male patients with chronic spinal cord injury (for more than 4 years) and partial or complete paralysis of the lower extremities. They used motor neuron activation maps and simulation models to identify optimal stimulation patterns for different muscle groups. The EES is provided by a pulse generator that is controlled in real time by wireless communication, and the time is set to coordinate with the motion of the target.
Within a few days after starting treatment, the patient gradually walked from the treadmill to walking on the ground with support (while accepting EES) and was able to adjust the height and step size of the lift. Ultimately, patients who receive EES can walk on a treadmill for up to an hour. After rehabilitation, three patients who underwent EES were able to walk independently (depending on local support or walking) and resumed autonomous movement of the legs without EES.
In another related paper published in Nature Neuroscience, the same group of researchers demonstrated that the previous stimulation of restoring walking was not effective, probably because they interfered with the patient's perception of the position of the limb. The short stimulus promotes both movement and the sensory signal from the legs.
In the corresponding news and opinion articles, scientists at the University of Washington in the United States said that the latest research by the Körting team clearly demonstrated the bright future of spinal cord injury.
Guangdong Widinlsa International Co.Ltd , https://www.gdwidinlsa.com