An interesting article was published this week by Sky News documenting the continued advances in treating patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Using a technique called “deep brain stimulation”, involving electrodes being implanted in the brain, two SCI patients, normally reliant on wheelchairs, were able to walk short distances and even climb stairs.
Scientists discovered that by tapping into an area of the brain not normally associated with walking, they were able to engage nerve fibres in the spinal cord which remained intact and re-engage the leg muscles. The area, known as the lateral hypothalamus, is more commonly associated with arousal and motivation.
As the research around both brain and spinal implants continues to develop, this is another important step in improving the function of such seriously injured patients.
Paralysed patients able to walk short distances after having electrodes implanted in their brains In a world first, surgeons have used a technique called deep brain stimulation to "re-awaken" dormant nerve fibres in the spinal cord and re-establish control of the leg muscles.
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