The Practical Paraplegic

WebMD recently discussed a new method of inquiry into restoring function for spinal cord injured patients.

Oct. 15, 2008 — Scientists at the University of Washington in Seattle report success in their first attempts to harness the brain to treat paralysis in people with spinal cord injuries. Their technique isn’t ready for patients yet, but researcher Chet Moritz, PhD, says it may one day be used to help paralyzed people walk.

“We haven’t studied that directly, so it’s all speculation on my part, but certainly it’s possible in the next 10-20 years,” Moritz said at a news conference. The basic idea is to bypass the spinal cord injury and create a direct route from the brain to the muscles. It’s a concept that hinges on the brain’s ability to adapt, with brain cells stepping up to handle tasks that they’re not used to doing. Read more here