Michel Roccati
Electrical stimulation that uses a newly designed implant to repair and restore injured nerves may have the potential to transform the lives of people living with spinal cord injuries.
A clinical trial conducted by NeuroRestore, a research and treatment center in Lausanne, Switzerland, was recently reported in the respected scientific journal, Nature Medicine. The study had highly promising results–even allowing some patients with complete spinal cord injuries to walk again.
Unlike previous studies that were required to use FDA-approved stimulators designed for pain, this study tested a device specific to the spinal cord, which was longer and wider in order to cover more spinal cord nerve roots and provide more stimulation options. The device was implanted in three young men with paraplegia below the level of their injury. The device generated electric signals designed to replace missing signals from the brain which stimulated stepping and climbing stairs.
Study participants worked with scientists to determine optimal stimulation settings. Michel Roccati said, “We found a setting that allowed me to stand up and see my body standing in the mirror in front of me. It was very emotional moment.”
Also on the first day, Roccati was able to take steps with stimulation using a harness. And then, after intense practice (four to five sessions a week for one to three hours), he was able to walk with the help of a walker. All participants also reported improvement in strength without the stimulator, which suggested some brain signals may have been restored.
The next phase of research will expand the trials to determine who will benefit from stimulation and how much improvement can be made for injuries. While it will take time for the technology to reach the public, the results are promising. Roccati says he no longer needs to ask friends to help him up and down stairs and feels more energetic. “Now, after the implant, I am another type of person.”
5 responses to “Promising New Research”
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I was told I have myelitis I can’t walk is been 4 years
I had spinal operation in 1996. All went well until recently, I have a permanent pain in the grone of my left leg. The doctor told me there is nothing that can be done due to my age. I am 81 years old. I’ve been taking pills for the pain.The problem seems to be worse at night.
Spinal mengioma tumour. T123.
2 operations. First one I walked again fully mobile. Second one caused paraplegia.
I have movement and believe I could walk again.
I am 79 and strong and fit.
I live in South Africa.
What is the potential?
Tengo lesión medular
Puede darme informes de la operación que ofrecen
Gracias
Fifty-five years ago, in 1967 I was a Guinea Pig used in an experiment where electrodes were taped to certain muscles in my legs – eg. Quads and Hamstrings – and the current would invoke a spasm.
Using elbow crutches to stabilize me, I was able to ‘walk’ without calipers or braces!
I broke my neck in a Zip-Line accident on Thursday the 20th of July in 1967.
I was 16 years old. I am now 72.
Laminectomy C6 – 7 and T1 – 2 – and 3
The ability to walk by invoking the spasms lasted almost thirty years.
The electrics genius was a man called Colin Ruch. He worked in the laboratory at the HF Verwoerd Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa.
I am now confined to a motorised wheelchair.
It is heartening to see that the desire to get Spinal Injured people mobile still continues!
Oh, and if you’re wondering why this success was never chronicled, it was because Chris Barnard pioneered the World’s First Heart Transplant at this time!
He stole my thunder!