Spinal cord implant incorporated in a rat
A technology was revealed that helped restore the movement of paralyzed rat. This means that we are a step closer to treating spinal cord injuries in humans and pets – which are currently incurable and often lead to loss of motor function.
The lesions in the spinal cord disturb communication between the brain and the body; They are incurable; and often lead to Loss of motor function.
But in New Zealand, paralyzed mice have walked again thanks to Revolutionary implants in the spinal cord.
The technology, created by Auckland University, takes the form of an ultra -thin implant designed to adapt directly to the mite injury site to provide controlled electricity zaps.
This innovation was presented in a study at the end of June in Nature Communications.
Biocompatible implants stimulated the regeneration of nerve fibers (axon) and the establishment of new connections in the injured area of the spinal cord through treatment with low frequency electric fields.
This involved the application of an alternating current impulse with a small amplitude and a frequency of 2 Hz, which had already shown to be effective to stimulate laboratory axon growth.
In the study, the researchers tested two groups of rats with intermediate lesions in the spinal cord that resulted in the almost absence of function of the hind limbs.
The experimental group received 1 hour of EF treatment daily for 7-11 days, and then only on business days (5 days/week) for 12 weeks. The control group recovered naturally without this treatment.
Conclusion: Treatment has led to significant improvements in relation to natural recovery.
This new Technology is minimally invasive; supports the recovery of movements and sensations; and does not cause damage to the spinal cord.
In the future, the goal is to be able to translate this discoveries into a medical device that can support people affected by lesions in the spinal cord.
However, it should be noted that rats have greater spontaneous recovery capacity after a spinal cord injury than humans.
Therefore, although this has allowed investigators an easier way to compare natural cure with their treatment, it also means that the approach to the loss of motor function in humans will require a deeper study.
