Experimental spinal cord implant helps Parkinson’s patient walk in new study

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This is very cool...

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CNN —

Marc Gauthier can now step into an elevator without his body stiffening and freezing in place. He can take a 3-mile lakeside stroll without stopping. He can stand up out of a chair with ease. For Gauthier, 63, who has been living with Parkinson’s disease for almost three decades, these everyday activities were a challenge — until now.

“Walking in a store would be really difficult, impossible before, because of the freezing of gait that would often happen in those environments. And now, it just doesn’t happen anymore. I don’t have freezing anymore,” Gauthier, who lives near Bordeaux, France, said in a news briefing, speaking in French that was translated to English.

In a new study, Gauthier was surgically implanted with an experimental spinal cord neuroprosthesis to correct walking disorders in people with Parkinson’s disease. Step by step, he said, it has helped him get his stride back.

The study, published Monday in the journal Nature Medicine, details how the neuroprosthesis works by targeting specific areas of the spinal cord with electrical stimulation that are associated with walking.

“Addressing deficits of gait and balance in Parkinson’s disease is extremely challenging. These deficits can be very heterogenous. They can be variable across patients. They can affect walking but also symmetry, balance, posture,” Dr. Eduardo Moraud, an author of the study and researcher at Lausanne University Hospital in Switzerland said during the news briefing.

“The neuroprosthetic approach that we have developed here allows for the first time to target and address these problems individually in a highly specific manner for each patient,” Moraud said. “It operates in real time, and importantly, it is complementary to other existing therapies.”

https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/06/health/parkinsons-spinal-cord-implant-study/index.html
 
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Remarkable step forward!
 
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Lnewqban said:
Remarkable step forward!
I see what you did there... :wink:
 
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berkeman said:
I see what you did there... :wink:
But seriously, it is impressive that the spinal cord is slowly coming out of that old idea of definitive damage for life.
Thank you for sharing this article; I had no idea.
 
  • #5
Agreed. I need to read more about this -- spinal cord repair after paralyzing injury has long been an interest of mine, but this almost sounds like a minimally-invasive stimulation/synchronization of some sort. Off for more reading...
 
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Related to Experimental spinal cord implant helps Parkinson’s patient walk in new study

What is the experimental spinal cord implant mentioned in the study?

The experimental spinal cord implant is a device designed to stimulate specific regions of the spinal cord with electrical impulses. This stimulation aims to improve motor functions in patients with Parkinson's disease by enhancing neural communication and compensating for the loss of dopamine-producing cells.

How does the spinal cord implant help Parkinson's patients walk?

The spinal cord implant helps Parkinson's patients walk by delivering targeted electrical stimulation to the spinal cord, which can enhance the activation of neural circuits involved in movement. This stimulation can improve the coordination and strength of muscle movements, thereby aiding in walking.

What were the results of the new study involving the spinal cord implant?

The new study showed promising results, with patients who received the spinal cord implant experiencing significant improvements in their ability to walk. Some patients who were previously unable to walk independently regained the ability to do so, demonstrating the potential efficacy of the implant in alleviating motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Are there any risks or side effects associated with the spinal cord implant?

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with the implantation of the spinal cord device, including infection, bleeding, and potential damage to surrounding tissues. Additionally, patients may experience side effects such as pain at the implantation site or unintended muscle contractions. However, these risks are generally considered manageable and are outweighed by the potential benefits.

What are the next steps for this research on spinal cord implants for Parkinson's disease?

The next steps for this research include conducting larger clinical trials to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of the spinal cord implant in a broader patient population. Researchers will also focus on optimizing the device and stimulation protocols, as well as exploring the long-term outcomes of patients who receive the implant. These efforts will help determine whether the implant can become a widely available treatment option for Parkinson's disease.

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