Stimulating the hand area of the motor cortex increases the strength of the neural signal.
Hand Paralysis Post Spinal Cord Injury May Be Reversed by New Surgical Technique
Novel technique to restore hand function in patients with spinal cord injury has been initiated by a UC San Diego neurosurgeon and his team.
Novel technique to restore hand function in patients with spinal cord injury has been initiated by a UC San Diego neurosurgeon and his team.
‘For patients who have lost voluntary muscle control, delivering brain stimulation and robotic motor feedback simultaneously during rehabilitation may be beneficial.’
Alireza Gharabaghi and colleagues asked participants to imagine opening their hand without actually making any movement while their hand was placed in a device that passively opened and closed their fingers as it received the necessary input from their brain activity. The researchers demonstrate that stimulating the hand area of the motor cortex at the same time, but not after, the robotic device initiated hand movement increased the strength of the neural signal, most likely by harnessing the processing power of additional neurons in the corticospinal tract.
However, the signal decreased when participants were not required to imagine moving their hand. Delivering brain stimulation and robotic motor feedback simultaneously during rehabilitation may therefore be beneficial for patients who have lost voluntary muscle control.
Brain Implant Could Reverse Leg Paralysis in Monkey
Spinal-cord injuries block the flow of electrical signals from the brain to the rest of the body resulting in paralysis.
Spinal-cord injuries block the flow of electrical signals from the brain to the rest of the body resulting in paralysis.
Restoring The Sense Of Touch Using Stem Cells in Patients With Paralysis
Two types of sensory cells can be produced by using a bone morphogenetic protein called BMP4, and a signaling molecule called retinoic acid.
Two types of sensory cells can be produced by using a bone morphogenetic protein called BMP4, and a signaling molecule called retinoic acid.
8 Years of Paralysis Ended With Neuro-prostheses
Kochevar, paralyzed completely due to a bicycle accident, is the first person to feed and drink all by himself with the help of neuro-prostheses.
Kochevar, paralyzed completely due to a bicycle accident, is the first person to feed and drink all by himself with the help of neuro-prostheses.
