Taking Control of Paralyzed Muscles
From: NBC Nightly News - 10/15/2008
By: Robert Bazell

Today we report on yet more promising research in monkeys involving possible
treatments for paralysis. Whenever we consider reporting on animal research
we have to consider the fine line between relating hopeful basic research and
raising false expectations in the millions of people who suffer paralysis
from injury or illness and their loved ones.  

The head scientist in this study Dr. Chet Mortiz was careful to tell me that
he thinks human applications will be decades away. Yet there is a genuine
excitement, not just from this one study, but from many, that a combination
of a better understanding of the brain, computers and robotics will bring
real help to people sooner rather than later. 

Read the article and comments at:
http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/10/15/1549734.aspx

Links:
Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
http://www.themiamiproject.org/Page.aspx?pid=183

Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation
http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.ddJFKRNoFiG/b.4048063/

National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

Direct control of paralysed muscles by cortical neurons
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature07418.html

Brain Training for Spinal Cord Injury
http://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20081015/brain-training-for-spinal-cord-injury?src=rss_investeap

Brain signals revive paralyzed muscles in monkeys
http://wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=106&sid=1497699
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081016/ap_on_sc/sci_bypassing_paralysis
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20081015/paralysis_study_081015/20081015?hub=Health

Device helps monkeys move paralyzed wrists
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081015/hl_nm/us_brain_monkey

Link contributed by Alan Cantor