A 40-year-old Dutchman Gert-Jan, who was paralyzed for a decade after injuring his spinal cord following a bicycle accident, can now walk normally using only his thoughts for the first time, owing to two implants that reestablished a connection between the brain and the spinal cord.

The new technique combines the spinal implant with a brain-computer interface that uses artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze brain recordings in real time. This enables the interface, which was developed by experts at Frances Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), to determine how the patient wishes to move their legs at any given time. A portable gadget that fits in a walker or small backpack is used to send the data to the spinal cord implant via, allowing patients to move around without the assistance of others.

The two implants establish a "digital bridge" to bridge the gap produced by Gert-Jans injury between the spinal cord and the brain. Gert-Jan can now stand at a pub with friends and drink a beer again after undergoing invasive surgery twice to implant both devices. The present patient recovered some sensory perception and motor abilities he had lost in the accident after six months of training.

The team is of the view to a trial to evaluate and analyze if the same technique could help to restore the functioning of arms and hands and also if it could be helpful in other illnesses as stroke paralysis.

(Source:https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/paralysed-man-walks-again-via-thought-controlled-implants/100487839?utm_source=Mailer&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=ethealth_news_2023-05-25&dt=2023-05-25)