Scientists have identified a group of nerve cells that help paralyzed patients get up and walk again.
These nerve cells or neurons
Called Vsx2, are found in the brainstem and spinal cord and play a key role in restoring motor function after spinal cord injury.
The researchers from Switzerland described their findings
Published in the journal Nature, as a « clinical breakthrough ».
Study author Jordan Squair
Who focuses on regenerative therapies at Neurorestore – a centre founded by Swiss scientists to develop new neurosurgical treatments – said: Targeted treatment paves the way.
« We can now target manipulation of these neurons to regenerate the spinal cord. »
For the clinical study
The researchers recruited nine participants who were severely or completely paralyzed by spinal cord injury.
The patient was treated with epidural electrical stimulation (EES)
An experimental therapy that helps patients regain lost movement and control.
In EES treatment
A small device is implanted on the protective layer of the spinal cord.
The researchers found that all patients recovered or improved their ability to walk quickly during treatment and showed improvements in mobility after five months of treatment and rehabilitation.
The authors conducted a series of experiments in mice to locate neurons associated with standing and walking after paralysis.
They found that Vsx2 neurons — a subset of a class of neurons called V2a — were associated with the recovery of walking after paralysis.
When these neurons were deactivated in spinal cord-injured mice
The creatures stopped walking.
But when the same experiment was performed on healthy mice
It had no effect.
According to the researchers
This suggests that Vsx2 neurons play a crucial role in the recovery of motor function after spinal cord injury, although these neurons are not required for walking in healthy mice.
Kee Wui Huang and Eiman Azim
Scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in California, who were not involved in the study, write in Nature’s News And Views that the results « are consistent with certain types of spinal cord neurons having their own view. » If Given the right combination of stimulation and rehabilitation, brain input lost after injury can be « recovered » or repurposed to resume movement. «
Study author Jocelyne Bloch
Neurosurgeon at the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), said: « In our new study, nine patients in the clinical trial were able to restore a degree of motor function with our implant, which allows us to understand the spinal cord. The reorganization process of neurons. »
💡 Source and reference
« independent.co.uk », from: ..