A neuroscientist by the name of Grégoire Courtine, working out of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (École Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)), has spent over a decade creating a device that will act as an interface that will link the brain to the lower spinal column. This brain-spine implant will allow the user to circumvent their spinal column in order to stimulate any previously severed nerves and cause their limbs to move.
Originally working with rats with good success, Courtine moved his research on to primate trials.
Here is a short overview of the device:
For those that want a more in-depth and scientific explanation, this video is the one for you:
How Does it Work?
This brain-spine implant creates a wireless link between two parts, one that is implanted in the brain and the other that is attached to the lower spinal column. This technology uses data that was gathered from a group of healthy monkeys. The research team watched these monkeys as they walked on treadmills and when they were at rest. While these tasks were being performed the section of the brain that is associated with leg motor function was monitored as was the spinal column as well as the pattern of motion that the leg took. These were then used to determine which sections of the lower spinal column needed to be stimulated in order to recreate the same motion.
Once all this data was collected it was determined that while at rest no signals were sent and each signal that was sent performs different tasks with the leg by expanding or contracting specific muscle groups and tendons. All this data allowed the researchers to use the one part to monitor for these signals and, when they were found, wirelessly tell the other section to stimulate the correct parts of the spinal cord in order to create movement.
Where Can You Learn More About the Brain-Spine Implant?
You can learn more from the official paper written by Grégoire Courtine or on his page on the EPFL website. There also good articles on cbc.ca and nature.com.
Comments and Opinions
This device is not at the human testing stage yet but one day this brain-spine implant will either be able to help the paralyzed walk again or at a minimum be the catalyst for a new field of research that will create a new device that will do so. This device is a stepping stone towards a brighter future that hopes to enable those who have become disabled from spinal injury. It is a very noble concept that appears will be a reality in our not too distant future.
