Paralyzed monkeys walk again thanks to wireless brain implants
- 7 years ago
LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND — Paraplegics may soon regain use of their legs, now that scientists have created an implant that proves effective in primates.
In a spinal cord injury, brain signals are unable to reach the neurons that activate movement, often resulting in lower limb paralysis. But researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne may have found a way to bypass this, having successfully restored movement in two paralyzed monkeys.
According to the study, published in Nature, the team developed a neuroprosthetic interface that uses two wireless implants. The first is a sensor surgically implanted in the brain’s motor cortex — the area that controls movement. The second is a nerve stimulator that is placed near the spinal injury.
The sensor picks up brain signals commanding leg movement and transmits them to a computer. The computer decodes the signals and sends them to the second implant in the spine. From there, pulses of electricity are released to stimulate certain nerves. This in turn triggers muscles in the leg, enabling it to move and flex.
CNN reports that the monkeys did not need any training and were able to walk immediately after activation of the interface.
The researchers plan to apply the technology to improve human lives, but say this may take several more years to achieve.
In a spinal cord injury, brain signals are unable to reach the neurons that activate movement, often resulting in lower limb paralysis. But researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne may have found a way to bypass this, having successfully restored movement in two paralyzed monkeys.
According to the study, published in Nature, the team developed a neuroprosthetic interface that uses two wireless implants. The first is a sensor surgically implanted in the brain’s motor cortex — the area that controls movement. The second is a nerve stimulator that is placed near the spinal injury.
The sensor picks up brain signals commanding leg movement and transmits them to a computer. The computer decodes the signals and sends them to the second implant in the spine. From there, pulses of electricity are released to stimulate certain nerves. This in turn triggers muscles in the leg, enabling it to move and flex.
CNN reports that the monkeys did not need any training and were able to walk immediately after activation of the interface.
The researchers plan to apply the technology to improve human lives, but say this may take several more years to achieve.