Researchers Chet Moritz and Eberhard Fetz at the University of Washington recently reported a breakthrough in getting animals to move paralyzed muscles using an experimental device stimulated by brain cells. In article published in Nature magazine, the researchers described how they were able to use a small battery-operated device to transformed brain signals into electrical signals that stimulated muscle cells in the paralyzed wrists of monkeys used in the study.
Researchers cautioned that clinical application of the technique in paralyzed humans is at least a decade away. But the breakthrough represents a new approach to one day helping paralyzed individuals regain some control of their limbs.
For further details on the breakthrough see additional media stories here and here (second link includes a helpful diagram illustrating how the experiment worked).
The Washington and Oregon spinal cord injury lawyers at D’Amore & Associates have years of experience representing individuals who have suffered paralyzing injuries due to the negligence of third parties. If you or a loved one has suffered such an injury, please contact us for a free consultation.
