A paraplegic person has regained natural control of walking thanks to the combination of two technologies that restore communication between the brain and spinal cord.
The patient, Gert-Jan, who suffered from a spinal cord injury, can now stand, move around and climb stairs. Electrodes implanted in his brain decode the electrical signals linked to walking, while a neurostimulator positioned on his spinal cord activates the leg muscles to achieve the desired movements. The patient can voluntarily control his movements and their amplitude. This advancement represents a new approach compared to previous methods, where patients had to exert physical effort to walk.
In addition to the benefits on mobility, the patient seems to have recovered part of his sensory and motor faculties after six months of training, even when the system is deactivated. This suggests that the establishment of a connection between the brain and spinal cord promotes a reorganization of neuronal circuits at the level of the lesion.
Although the technology is not yet ready for widespread use, researchers are already planning to launch trials to restore arm and hand function using the same approach. They also hope to apply it to other clinical conditions, such as paralysis caused by stroke
 Pascal Lemontel
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25/05/2023 | 
