2023-07-02 05:00:59
According a WHO report, 1.3 billion people, or 16% of the world’s population, have a significant disability, including paralysis related to paraplegia. The latter is due to a lesion in the spinal cord, which can affect the descending circuits. Paraplegic subjects must equip themselves with a wheelchair to move around and improve their autonomy. Today, with advances in science and technology, researchers are studying the possibility of making paralyzed people walk once more. This is particularly the case of research carried out by an international team of neuroscientists and neurosurgeons who have developed a brain-backbone interface. The results of the experiment on a patient equipped with this new system would be promising. Explanations.
How does this technology work?
This international research team has developed a brain-backbone interface, which functions as a “wireless digital bridge”. This system is composed of two implants. One is placed at the level of the brain and the other at the level of the spine. Located on the surface of the cerebral motor cortex, the first implant memorizes cortical activity, then transmits it to the external helmet equipped with two antennas.
An implant to walk once more. Photo credit: EPFL (YouTube video screenshot)
Then, the cerebral signals received by the antennas are transferred to a processing unit in which predictions of movement intentions are generated. When intentions are transformed into stimuli, they are sent to the software designed by the scientists. The second implant, located in the spinal cord, receives this information and transmits it to the electrodes to which it is connected. These electrodes deliver electrical impulses in the epidural space, in particular to the nerve roots responsible for the movements of the legs.
How was the experience?
Gert-Jan Oskam, a 40-year-old man, was completely paralyzed following a motorcycle accident 12 years ago. He suffered a spinal cord injury. According to Grégoire Courtine, one of the authors of the neuroscientific study at EPFL, this patient was unable to walk on his own. In 2017, as part of another clinical experience, an implant was already placed in his spinal cord. This device helped him regain walking form. But at that time, he might only move on flat terrain and he still mightn’t get around obstacles. This phase of electrical nerve stimulation lasted two years.
In 2021, this man joined the proof-of-concept study. The scientists had tested the new brain-backbone interface on him. According to him, thanks to this technology, he managed to convert his thoughts into movements. After several minutes of training, he might walk naturally with better control over his leg movements. He might climb stairs and walk on uneven surfaces like gravel paths. Oskam also claimed that he succeeded in stand alone for two or three minutes.
Over time he might walk 100 to 200 m per day. Note that this man used this system for a year. The reliability of this device has been demonstrated throughout this period. Besides that, the researchers found that during the experiment, the patient was able to walk with crutches even without the help of this technology. They think the interface activated brain pathways that were intact but only dormant. More information : Nature.com / mayoclinic.org
Source
nbcnews.comtechniques-ingenieur.fr
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#Paraplegic #man #walks #brainbackbone #interface
