Paralysis

Scientists are getting better at using machines to decode electrical signals coming from the brain, but a new "plug-and-play" device represents a significant step forward

Medical

Plug-and-play brain-decoding device picks up where it left off

One of their more promising applications for brain computer interfaces involves allowing sufferers of paralysis to regain control of prosthetic devices, something scientists have now demonstrated with a first-of-a-kind plug-and-play device.

Health & Wellbeing

Robotic glove powers up paralyzed hands

If someone is lacking a hand, a prosthetic appendage can help them perform basic daily tasks. However, what if they've still got both hands, but one of them is paralyzed? Well, that's where NeoMano is designed to come in.

The technology may someday be incorporated into an EpiPen-like device, that would be used to rapidly inject the nanoparticles as soon as possible after a spinal cord injury occurs

Medical

Injected after accidents, nanoparticles could prevent paralysis

When a spinal cord injury occurs, sometimes it's the body's own immune system that causes the subsequent paralysis. In the not-too-distant future, however, it's possible that an injection of nanoparticles at the injury site may be able to rein in the well-meaning but destructive immune cells.

Researchers have restored the ability to walk in paralyzed mice, by bringing balance to the "Yin and Ying of the nervous system"

Medical

Paralyzed mice walk again after treatment restores neurons' "Yin and Yang" balance

A spinal cord injury doesn’t need to be complete to cause paralysis – even with some nerves left intact, messages from the brain still don’t get through. While investigating why, researchers determined that a certain drug helps balance the Yin and Yang of the nervous system to restore limb movement.

Growth of scar tissue in a rat spinal cord after traumatic injury – the new gene therapy breaks down this scar tissue that prevents the regeneration of nerve activity in the area

Medical

Promising gene therapy repairs spinal cord injury in rats

A team of researchers has successfully regenerated spinal tissue in rat models. Using a common antibiotic as the on/off switch, the therapy breaks down scar tissue and allows new nerve cells to grow, resulting in rats with spinal injuries relearning complex hand movements.

A new non-invasive spinal stimulation technique has given paralyzed subjects the ability to do everyday tasks, such as opening a water bottle, again

Medical

Spinal zaps return hand movement to paralyzed subjects

Six people suffering varying degrees of paralysis have now regained the use of their hands and fingers after participating in a UCLA-led study of a nonsurgical, noninvasive spinal stimulation technique.

Electrodes were implanted into the somatosensory cortex of the brain (highlighted), inducing sensations of touch in the arm of a paralyzed man

Medical

Brain implants put paralyzed man back in touch with himself

Researchers at Caltech have induced a range of sensations in the arm of a paralyzed man. Electrodes implanted in the brain stimulated the neurons to produce different feelings. The research could eventually lead to prosthetic limbs that allow users to feel realistic sensations through them.

The treatment only works on rats, for now

Medical

Human stem cells get paraplegic rats moving again

There are some paraplegic rats that are now able to walk again, or that are at least coming close to doing so, and it's thanks to human stem cells. The cells essentially helped bridge a gap that scientists had introduced in the animals' spinal cords.

The device detects electrical signals in the brain causing a correlated pincer-like movement in the glove. This results in the brain creating new motor-pathways allowing the movement to be ultimately performed independently of the device

Health & Wellbeing

Mind-controlled device aids in brain retraining for stroke victims

Consisting of a cap to detect electrical signals in the brain and a brace that is worn over a paralyzed hand, a new device designed by researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine can help stroke victims retrain undamaged parts of their brain to regain control of paralyzed limbs.