People walk when the brain sends right signals to the neurons in the lower spinal cord. If a spinal cord injury interrupts this communication, the injured becomes paralyzed. There had been no good treatment to improve the recovery of leg movement. Although some electrical stimulation of certain zones in the spinal cord can initiate leg movement, detecting the intention to walk relied on detecting residual movements, which makes it hard to control walking in a natural way. In a recent Nature article, some European researchers described a “digital bridge” for re-establishing the communication between the brain and spinal cord to enable walking for a patient with a partially severed spinal cord.
Specifically, two wireless recorders were put on the outermost membrane over the brain area related to leg movements. A third multi-electrode implant was placed at the spinal cord region responsible for leg motion. The brain signals captured by the recorders were decoded and wirelessly transmitted to the third implant. The decoded signals were turned into electrical stimulation of the spinal cord, activating the leg muscles for movement.
This whole system, called a brain–spine interface (BSI), was successfully used by the patient for over a year, even at home. The patient was able to control leg movements naturally, enabling him to stand, walk, climb stairs, and even navigate challenging terrains. Additionally, neurorehabilitation with the BSI led to improved neurological recovery. Remarkably, the participant has regained the ability to walk with crutches even when the BSI is turned off. This groundbreaking technology provides a way to restore natural movement control after paralysis.
Research Article
Contact: Email
Location: France and Switzerland
Summary
The purpose
To treat paralysis due to partially severed spinal cord
The idea
Build a brain–spine interface to re-establish the brain-spine-communication
Further Possibilities
1. Use the brain-spine-interface to make legs stronger
2. Use a digital bridge to enable voluntary control over body parts that are not voluntarily controlled
3. Use a noninvasive mind reader to control body parts
4. Use the technology to build cyborgs
5. Use the technology to help build robots
Questions
1. What might be all the body parts that can be connected through a digital bridge?
2. How else might we augment the injured?
3. How might the treatment be achieved non-invasively?
