Paraplegic walks again after 18 years thanks to breakthrough in brain research
A groundbreaking discovery in neuroscience has enabled a paraplegic to walk again.
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Scientists at EPFL Lausanne and the Lausanne University Hospital have identified a brain region crucial for restoring the ability to walk in mice with spinal cord injuries. This breakthrough has now paved the way for brain stimulation therapy in humans – a true milestone in medical science.
Regaining control over the legs
In 2006, a 54-year-old Austrian suffered severe spinal cord injuries in a skiing accident, leaving him confined to a wheelchair. However, last year, thanks to innovative research, he was able to partially regain control over his legs, as EPFL reported in a press release.
A key brain region for movement
By applying deep brain stimulation to a little-known area of the brain involved in walking – the lateral hypothalamus – researchers improved lower limb recovery in two patients with partial spinal cord injuries. Traditionally, this neurosurgical technique, which involves implanting electrodes in specific brain regions, has been used to treat movement disorders like Parkinson's disease by targeting motor control centres.
Targeted stimulation brings long-term improvement
The application of this technique to the lateral hypothalamus represents a significant breakthrough. A study published in Nature Medicine revealed that brain stimulation not only produced immediate improvements in walking during rehabilitation but also led to long-term benefits.
Once the electrode was in place and we performed the stimulation, the first patient immediately said, ‘I feel my legs.’
This confirmed to researchers that they had successfully targeted the correct brain region, despite this area never previously been linked to controlling leg movements in humans. Future research aims to integrate digital brain stimulation with other technologies, such as spinal cord implants, to further enhance recovery options.