A major breakthrough has been made by Swiss scientists in curing spinal cord injuries, successfully getting two paralyzed people to walk again. What other advances could this discovery lead to?
Tl;dr
- A Swiss breakthrough allows paralyzed people to walk again.
- The technique used is deep brain stimulation.
- The results promise lasting benefits.
Major medical advance in Switzerland
Researchers from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and the Vaud University Hospital Center have made significant progress in the rehabilitation of spinal cord injuries. Two patients, previously confined to a wheelchair, were able to regain the use of their legs thanks to their work.
Deep brain stimulation: a revolutionary technique
The technique used by these researchers is not entirely new. Her name is the deep brain stimulation (DBS)and it is already used for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. It consists of “implant electrodes in specific regions of the brain to modulate neuronal activity”explained the team.
In this particular case, scientists mapped the entire brain to understand the role of each region in walking. They identified the lateral hypothalamus, a part of the brain typically associated with wakefulness and eating.
Conclusive clinical trials
Animal testing led to clinical trials on human subjects. “Once the electrode was in place and the stimulation was performed, the first patient immediately said: ‘I can feel my legs.’ When we increased the stimulation, she said, “I want to walk.” »reports neurosurgeon Jocelyne Bloch, who performed the first surgical procedure.
A major discovery and promising results
The researchers are enthusiastic about the results obtained. Not only did patients show immediate improvements, but they also saw lasting benefits, even after stimulation stopped. “We were witnessing a major discovery in the anatomical organization of brain functions. »declared Jocelyne Bloch.
Researchers are now considering combining this technique with spinal cord implants to offer a more comprehensive recovery strategy for patients suffering from spinal cord injuries, according to Grégoire Courtine, professor of Neurosciences at EPFL.
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