Neurons grown from embryonic stem cells restore function in paralyzed rats
For the first time, researchers have enticed transplants of embryonic stem cell-derived motor neurons in the spinal cord to connect with muscles and partially restore function in paralyzed animals. The study suggests that similar techniques may be useful for treating such disorders as spinal cord injury, transverse myelitis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and spinal muscular atrophy. The st...Brain-computer link lets paralyzed patients convert thoughts into actions
A multi-institutional team of researchers has found that people with long-standing, severe paralysis can generate signals in the area of the brain responsible for voluntary movement and these signals can be detected, recorded, routed out of the brain to a computer and converted into actions -- enabling a paralyzed patient to perform basic tasks. In the 13 July 2006 issue of Nature, the r...Computer with brain connections changing quality of life of paralyzed
Fundamental theories regarding consciousness, emotion and quality of life in sufferers of paralysis from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, also known as 'Lou Gerhig's disease') are being challenged based on new research on brain-computer interaction. ALS is a progressive disease that destroys neurons affecting movement. The study appears in the latest issue of Psychophysiology. The article revi...Human stem cell treatment restores motor function in paralyzed rats
Rats paralyzed due to loss of blood flow to the spine returned to near normal ambulatory function six weeks after receiving grafts of human spinal stem cells (hSSCs), researchers from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine report. The study, led by Martin Marsala, M.D., UC San Diego professor of anesthesiology, is published in the June 29, 2007 issue of the journal N...Paralyzed Patients Can Be Trained To Walk With Robotic Treadmill
Researchers at the UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that brain activity of paralyzed patients can be improved by providing them training using robotic treadmill. This is believed to benefit // a majority of patients who exhibit partial paralysis following spinal cord injury. In the future, rehabilitation strategies could be individualized based on whether injured persons are ca...5 Year Old Paralyzed Victim Forgives 50 Year Old Man Who Shot Her
In what can be called as an extreme act of generosity, Kai Leigh Harriott, paralyzed and confined to wheelchair, forgave the man who had shot her and shattered her spine//, three years back. In a face-to-face encounter, in the court, she further expressed that what he had done to her was wrong. The little girl who was emotionally aroused and broke down crying, soon recovered after she...Paralyzed Girl Pardons Her Offender
A six-year-old girl was magnanimous enough to pardon her offender who shot and shattered her spine, at a house in Dorchester, MA that resulted in paralyzing her from the // waist down. Sitting on a wheelchair, she forgave him in the court, where he was produced to face the trial. According to foodconsumer.org, in court, Kai Leigh Harriott broke down and cried hard initially. With a sip...Stem Cells Help Paralyzed Mice Walk
Scientists at the Johns Hopkins University have formulated a new method of using stem cells to repair injured spinal cords in laboratory mice. //This new method was so successful that paralyzed mice were ale to walk again. "This is an important first step, but it really is a first step, a proof of principle that . . . you can rewire part of the nervous system," said Dr. Douglas Kerr,...A boon to the paralyzed -Brain Gate Neural Interface System
It will now be possible for a patient with spinal cord injury to produce brain signals that relay the intention of moving the paralyzed limbs// , as signals to an implanted sensor, which is then output as electronic impulses. These impulses enable the user to operate mechanical devices with the help of a computer cursor. A report appearing in the July 13 issue of Nature includes the...