Spinal Stimulation Gets Paralyzed Patients Moving
From: IEEE Spectrum - 10/24/2013
By: Emily Waltz

Implanted electrodes can reach where the brain cannot

Researchers have tried numerous approaches to help the paralyzed walk again
and regain control of bodily functions. Among the methods tried are stem-cell
transplants for neural repair and modifying the spinal cord to encourage
growth of new neurons. Unfortunately, these remain mostly in the lab. But
when electrical stimulation experiments by researchers at the University of
Louisville enabled a paralyzed person to stand on his own, hope for a cure
was renewed. An IEEE Spectrum article describes the efforts under way to turn
the off-the-shelf neurostimulation system used by the Louisville, KY,
researchers into a device easily tailored to suit individual patient needs.

Read the entire article and view a video (2:08) at:
http://spectrum.ieee.org/biomedical/devices/spinal-stimulation-gets-paralyzed-patients-moving/

Links:
Susan Harkema
http://louisville.edu/kscirc/bios/dr-susan-harkema.html

Rob Summers
http://www.robmsummers.com/

Effect of Epidural stimulation of the lumbosacral spinal cord on voluntary
movement, standing, and assisted stepping after motor complete paraplegia: a
case study
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3154251/

Center for Neuroprosthetic and Brain Mind Institute (with video 2:35)
http://courtine-lab.epfl.ch/

Project Rewalk
http://www.project-rewalk.com/

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Spinal Stimulation Gets Paralyzed Patients Moving
From: IEEE Spectrum - 10/24/2013
By: Emily Waltz

Implanted electrodes can reach where the brain cannot

In both animal and human experiments, researchers are using electricity to
restore function to paralyzed lower limbs.

Read the entire article and view a video (2:08) at:
http://spectrum.ieee.org/biomedical/devices/spinal-stimulation-gets-paralyzed-patients-moving