Electrodes Enable Paraplegic Man To Stand And Walk Again - Polidicks

[QUOTE] A study involving the application of continual direct electrical current — via implanted electrodes — at varying frequencies and intensities to the part of the spinal cord that controls movement of the hips, knees, ankles and toes has enabled a paralyzed man to stand and take steps on a treadmill Summers also voluntarily can move his toes, ankles, knees and hips on command. With harness support and therapist assistance, he can make repeated stepping motions on a treadmill. He can stand up on his own and remain standing and bearing weight for up to four minutes at a time. With periodic assistance, he can stand for up to an hour. Lancet - Effect of epidural stimulation of the lumbosacral spinal cord on voluntary movement, standing, and assisted stepping after motor complete paraplegia: a case study [IMG]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qp5AxldF_hg/TdbvQRIsZkI/AAAAAAAALi0/-DeNuGqBvMc/s1600/paralyzewalk.jpg[/IMG] [QUOTE]This type of epidural stimulation mimics signals the brain normally sends to initiate movement. Once that happens, the spinal cord’s own neural networks, combined with the sensory input from the legs to the spinal cord, can direct the muscle and joint movements required to stand and step with assistance on a treadmill. The other crucial component of the research was an extensive regimen of locomotor training while the spinal cord was stimulated and Summers was suspended over the treadmill. Rehabilitation specialists helped move his legs to retrain his spinal cord neural networks to produce the muscle movements necessary to stand and to take assisted steps. “This procedure has completely changed my life,” Summers said. “For someone who for four years was unable to even move a toe, to have the freedom and ability to stand on my own is the most amazing feeling. To be able to pick up my foot and step down again was unbelievable, but beyond all of that my sense of well-being has changed. My physique and muscle tone has improved greatly — so much that most people don’t even believe I am paralyzed. I believe that epidural stimulation will get me out of this chair.” The researchers envision a day when at least some people with complete spinal cord injuries will be able to use a portable stimulation unit and, with the assistance of a walker, stand independently, maintain balance and execute some effective stepping. Relief from secondary complications of complete spinal cord injury — including impairment or loss of bladder control, sphincter control and sexual response — could prove to be even more significant.[/QUOTE][/QUOTE] Source: [url]http://nextbigfuture.com/2011/05/implanted-electrodes-enable-paraplegic.html[/url]

I read about something along this line a few years ago, good to see that research paid off. I hope this makes real strides forward for paraplegic people.

medical advances have come so far in the last 20 years, i cant wait for flying wheelchairs or whatever we'll have in 50

[QUOTE=HumanAbyss;29955626] I hope this makes real strides forward [/QUOTE] :colbert:

Science saves the day once again

[QUOTE=Bobie;29955696]medical advances have come so far in the last 20 years, i cant wait for flying wheelchairs or whatever we'll have in 50[/QUOTE] Fuck that i'd rather be able to walk again.

[img]http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/149/e/c/Dr__Insano_Fan_Art_by_ImagineNationAG.jpg[/img]

[img]http://sf0.org/SFmedia/teams/main_Frankenstein_monster_Boris_Karloff.jpg[/img]

[img]http://allyn.kessler.us/family%20guy%20joe.gif[/img]

Were the last three posts coordinated or something?

This is a step in the right direction. [editline]20th May 2011[/editline] They are making progress in leaps and bounds. [editline]20th May 2011[/editline] These scientists talk the talk but can they walk the walk?

[img]http://datacore.sciflicks.com/dr_strangelove/images/dr_strangelove_large_01.jpg[/img] MEIN FUHRER! I CAN WALK!

This actually makes so much sense. When you become paralized you just can't send a stimulus to the muscles, so why not just keep stimulating them externally like this?

Saw this yesterday on the news, pretty cool, just gotta keep working on the system and method of stimulation and eventually having a broken spine will become a mild inconveniance :v:

'Bout time :science:

Awesome, I suppose it works by reducing the activation energy necessary for nerve signals? Fantastic.

I thought it just rerouted the signal from the functioning parts of the nerves past the damaged sections.

Was I the only one that thought of [img]http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/8/84/101Electrode.png[/img] when I saw the title?

Now I can finally throw myself in front of a bus with no worries! Thanks, science!

science has definitely gone too far this time soon there will be a new tyrannical upper class of people who can walk and a downtrodden underclass of people who cant WHY MUST WE TAMPER IN GOD'S DOMAIN

[QUOTE=LCBADs;29976710] WHY MUST WE TAMPER IN GOD'S DOMAIN[/QUOTE] The position was vacant :colbert:

[QUOTE=shatteredwindow;29957638]This is a step in the right direction. [editline]20th May 2011[/editline] They are making progress in leaps and bounds. [editline]20th May 2011[/editline] These scientists talk the talk but can they walk the walk?[/QUOTE] Quit doing that.

So my dad has a friend who was paralyzed nearly 30 years ago, it would be so awesome if this was used to help him walk again. He's been pretty sick lately, because if you get wounds on paralyzed areas, you can get very infected. :smith:

[QUOTE=Mr. Bleak;29978215]So my dad has a friend who was paralyzed nearly 30 years ago, it would be so awesome if this was used to help him walk again. He's been pretty sick lately, because if you get wounds on paralyzed areas, you can get very infected. :smith:[/QUOTE] Is that because you can't feel it and need to do visual checks 24/7, and even then, an infection may only initially appear as redness?

Science is fucking awesome.

First thing I thought of. [img]http://images.wikia.com/supcom2/images/4/44/Dr._Brackman_(age_48)_001.jpg[/img]

[QUOTE=LCBADs;29976710]science has definitely gone too far this time soon there will be a new tyrannical upper class of people who can walk and a downtrodden underclass of people who cant WHY MUST WE TAMPER IN GOD'S DOMAIN[/QUOTE] God/Jesus/wahtever - 0 , science - at the very least 1

[QUOTE=Nautsabes;29956664][img]http://sf0.org/SFmedia/teams/main_Frankenstein_monster_Boris_Karloff.jpg[/img][/QUOTE] it says "paraplegic" not "dead".

Wow, makes me happy to be studying medicine at the start of the scientific boom.