Reversing paralysis
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Scientists are making advances in using brain implants to restore movement in individuals with spinal cord injuries by creating a 'neural bypass' that allows thoughts to control limbs. An implant was successfully used on a partially paralyzed man, greatly improving his movement, while similar studies on monkeys have shown natural walking with brain-spine interfaces. Despite the promising technology, challenges remain in applying it to humans, with further development expected over the next 12-15 years.
Reversing paralysis
- 2. The communication between our brain and the respective muscles are done through different nerves. So when you are thinking about walking, it’s your brain who directs your leg muscles to make movements for you to walk. Sometimes, because of any unfortunate events such as external accidents or weakening of nerves, if the brain can’t communicate with the muscles, the movement in them halts and the victim is said to be in a paralyzed condition.
- 3. Scientists are making remarkable progress at using brain implants to restore the freedom of movement that spinal cord injuries take away. Scientists are wirelessly connecting brain- reading technology directly to electrical stimulators on the body, creating a “neural bypass” so that people’s thoughts can again move their limbs for paralyzed people. The science is still in beginning stages, but their is a great desire for these solutions.
- 5. The implementation was done on a man who was partially paralyzed because of an injury to his spinal cord 5 years before the implant. Before the implant, he was able to walk with support, but the stimulating implant drastically improved his movement control. “When we turn on the stimulation, the movement is much more coordinated,” Courtine says.
- 6. The flexible “ e-dura “(which covers the spinal cord and brain) developed by EPFL professor Stephanie Lacour is meant to interface safely with delicate neural tissue.
- 7. the whole procedure can be done through wireless implants. In a breakthrough study on paralyzed Monkey published last November(2016), Courtine and his collaborators showed that inserting both a brain implant and a spinal implant provided much more natural walking movement in Paralyzed Monkey. Notes: motor cortex is the area in our brain where planning and execution of all voluntary movements in our body is done.
- 8. The first implant was a brain reading chip with micro electrode array that was placed at the leg area of the motor cortex of the monkey’s brain. This chip has around 100 electrodes in it. The brain reading chip has been developed in such a way that it can read the motor cortex signals at a rapid speed to avoid delay in the process. The second implant is a pulse generator simulator and has wireless triggering capabilities. The pulse generator is implanted at affected region. It has the capability to deliver correct stimulation to the required location at a perfect timing in order.
- 10. HOW THE DEVICE WORKS?? The brain-spine interface bridges the spinal cord injury, in real-time and wirelessly. The system decodes activity from the brain's motor cortex and then relays this information to a system of electrodes located over the surface of the lumbar spinal cord, below the injury. Electrical stimulation of a few volts, delivered at precise locations in the spinal cord, modulates distinct networks of neurons that can activate specific muscles in the legs.
- 12. With the brain-spinal interface system turned off, a partially paralyzed monkey drags its rear foot. With the brain-spinal interface system turned on, the monkey walks almost normally.
- 13. Cure for all possible types of paralysis (Not sure at all; Just hypothetical) Monoplegia : Monoplegia is paralysis of a single area of the body, most typically one limb. Hemiplegia : Hemiplegia affects an arm and a leg on the same side of the body Paraplegia : Paraplegia refers to paralysis below the waist, and usually affects both legs, the hips, and other functions, such as sexuality and elimination. Quadriplegia : Quadriplegia, which is often referred to as tetraplegia, is paralysis below the neck. All four limbs, as well as the torso, are typically affected.
- 14. Promising technology but roads are yet difficult. To work properly on human brain is too much complex. Courtine & team are continuously working on the interface to make it more developed and optimal. Might takes more than 12-15 years. Much more expensive
- 15. https://www.spinalcord.com/types-of-paralysis https://spectrum.ieee.org/the-human- os/biomedical/bionics/one-small-step-for-a-paraplegic-one- big-step-toward-reversing-paralysis https://www.tutorialspoint.com/articles/reversing-paralysis- using-brain-implants-to-restore-body-movement