WASHINGTON — Three people whose legs were paralyzed for years can stand and take steps again thanks to an electrical implant that zaps the injured spinal cord — along with months of intense rehab, researchers reported Monday. It tapped into “residual connections that are not being used” after a spinal cord injury. Still, “not everybody who has a similar injury will respond the same,” cautioned Sadowsky, who directs spinal cord therapy at Baltimore’s Kennedy Krieger Institute. Severe spinal cord injuries leave the brain’s “get moving” instructions unable to reach the nerves that activate muscles. Researchers have tried other technologies, such as encasing patients in robotic-like exoskeletons or implanting muscle stimulators, to help move paralyzed limbs.

Source: National Post September 24, 2018 15:00 UTC