2023-12-04 10:00:00
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Institute in the United States have developed an innovative implant that has proven to be effective in recovering mobility in mice with paralysis in the lower extremities. This advance opens promising prospects for future treatments for millions of patients suffering from spinal cord injuries around the world.
Spinal cord injuries can disrupt the electrical signals that travel from the brain to the extremities, resulting in loss of mobility in the lower extremities and even in more severe cases, total paralysis.
Although there are conventional spinal cord stimulators that seek to restore electrical flow between the brain and extremities, they tend to be large devices and, due to their location, lack precision. Furthermore, its implantation involves a surgical intervention that can cause more damage to the spinal tissue.
According to an article recently published in the journal Nano Letters, Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a spinal cord stimulator noticeably smaller and more flexible than conventional ones. This advance allows its implantation using a simple syringe, without requiring surgery, which could significantly reduce treatment costs.
The team has also identified a new area for stimulation known as the ventrolateral epidural surface, located near the key motor neurons of the spinal cord and accessible without surgery.
In experiments with mice, the implant was able to restore leg movement using an electrical current almost two orders of magnitude lower than that used in conventional spinal cord stimulation. The next step involves preparing the device for human clinical trials.
“This technology could significantly improve the quality of life for many patients, reduce personal care costs, and help them regain confidence and dignity,” said Dinchang Lin, associate professor at the Whiting School of Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.
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