Breakthrough Brain Therapy Helps Paralyzed Patients Walk Again
A groundbreaking study has demonstrated that deep brain stimulation (DBS) could restore mobility in patients with spinal cord injuries. Conducted by researchers at EPFL (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne) and Lausanne University Hospital in Switzerland, the study has given new hope to individuals with paralysis.
Unveiling a Surprising Target for Stimulation
Unlike previous DBS treatments, which focus on areas of the brain associated with movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease, this therapy targets the lateral hypothalamus—a region traditionally linked to sleep and appetite. The results, published in Nature Medicine, highlight a new understanding of the brain’s role in locomotion.
Lead researcher Dr. Jocelyne Bloch, a neurosurgeon at Lausanne University Hospital, described the dramatic impact of the therapy. “Once the electrode was in place and stimulation began, the first patient immediately reported, ‘I feel my legs,’” Bloch said. The stimulation even triggered an instinctive desire to walk, a breakthrough moment for the team.
Patients Experience Restored Mobility
One participant, 54-year-old Wolfgang Jäger from Austria, suffered a spinal cord injury in 2006 that left him wheelchair-bound. After undergoing DBS therapy, Jäger regained the ability to walk short distances and perform everyday tasks like reaching for items in his kitchen.
“Last year on vacation, it was no problem to walk a couple of steps to the sea using the stimulation,” Jäger shared in the press release.
Even more promising, patients reported lasting improvements in mobility, even when the stimulation was turned off. Researchers attribute this to a reorganization of nerve fibers, further enhancing motor abilities.
Combining Brain and Spinal Stimulation
Looking ahead, the researchers plan to integrate DBS with spinal implants to develop a comprehensive recovery strategy for individuals with spinal cord injuries. Dr. Grégoire Courtine, professor of neuroscience at EPFL and co-director of the NeuroRestore center, said, “Our findings show that this approach induces a lasting reorganization of nerve fibers, leading to sustained recovery.”
Courtine and his team aim to build on this dual approach to push the boundaries of paralysis treatment further.
Expert Reactions
Dr. Ann Murray, director of the Comprehensive Movement Disorder Clinic at WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, called the findings “surprising and exciting.” She emphasized that advancements in DBS therapies have the potential to revolutionize treatment for neurological injuries.
“The brain communicates via electrical signaling, and technologies like deep brain stimulation help restore normal connectivity,” Murray said. “The potential for these technologies is truly endless.”
A Path Toward Precision Medicine
While the research shows immense promise, experts acknowledge its limitations. As the therapy is highly specialized, widespread application may require further refinement. However, this breakthrough highlights the potential of precision medicine in restoring mobility and transforming lives.
This innovative use of deep brain stimulation offers hope to millions affected by paralysis, marking a major step forward in neuroscience and rehabilitation therapies.
Source : Swifteradio.com
