You can get numbness and pain relief by using a combination of physical therapy and electric stimulation.Many people who have suffered from chronic spinal injuries are able to walk again.
All of them suffered severe or complete paralysis due to damage to their spine cords. Surprisingly, all volunteers noticed improvements right away and continued to make improvements for five more months.
Researchers from NeuroRestore, a Swiss research organization, have identified the nerve areas stimulated by the therapy using mice as a starting point.
The lower back section of the spinal cord is where nerve cells are located that control walking. Broken spinal cords can disrupt the transmission of brain signals, which can lead to walking difficulties.
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These ‘walking neurons’ become unresponsive to commands and can lead to permanent paralysis.
Previous research demonstratedHowever, electrical stimulation of the spine cord can reverse paralysis. The mechanism behind this phenomenon isn’t known. Claudia Kathe, a neuroscientist at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne and her colleagues tried a new technology called Epidural electrical stimulationBoth in nine individuals and in an animal model.
The neurotransmitter, which was surgically implanted in the spinal cord, stimulated the nerves. Patients were also subject to intensive neurorehabilitation. This involved a robotic support system that assisted them as they moved in multiple directions.
Five months of stimulation and rehabilitation were provided to the patients, which was four to five times weekly. Amazingly, all volunteers were able then to take steps with the aid a walker.
The researchers were shocked to find that patients with recovered injuries actually had a lower level of neural activity in their lumbar spinal cords when they walked. This is believed to be due to walking requiring a subset of neurons.
Courtine: It shouldn’t surprise you if you really think about it. TelledDyani Lewis Nature, “because in the brain, when you learn a task, that’s exactly what you see – there are less and less neurons activated” as you get better at it.
Kathe and her colleagues modeled the process on mice and used a combination RNA sequencing and PCR. Geospatial transcriptomics – a technique that allows scientists to measure and map gene activity in specific tissues – to understand which cells were doing what.
Researchers discovered a single group of previously unknown neurons in the lumbar spine cord’s intermediate laminae that can take over following an injury.
This tissue is made up cells known as SCVsx2::Hoxa10Neurons, although not required for walking in healthy animals. However, they are essential for the recovery of spinal injuries. Mice were unable to recover after their destruction. However, they are activity dependent.
SCVsx2::Hoxa10Neurons have “uniquely placed” capabilities to transform brainstem information into executive commands. These commands are then transmitted to Kathe and her colleagues, who are responsible for producing walking. Explain in their paper.
This is just one part of a complex chain of messaging and receiving cell components. There are many more to investigate.
However, these experiments proved that SC participation was possible.Vsx2::Hoxa10“Neuros is a crucial requirement for the recovery and walking after paralysis,” researchers stated. Conclusion.
This understanding may lead to better treatment options and a better quality life for those with other types of spinal cord injuries.
Their research was published in Nature.
