Paralysed patient Googles using brain to tablet connection

Patient T6, a lady paralysed by ALS, is able to control a Nexus tablet with her brain waves. As part of the BrainGate program, Dr. Paul Nuyujukian and his team from Stanford University, California, implanted a microarray chip in T6’s brain that allows…

3-D cell growth opens new pathway for spinal cord repair

Griffith University researchers have used microfluidic engineering technology to grow cells in three dimensions, without the traditional restrictions of matrix or scaffolds. This allows the cells to freely associate and form natural structures as they would normally within the human…

Asterias to begin stem cell dose escalation in the Phase 1/2a trial for SCI

The SCiStar Study is a Phase 1/2a clinical trial evaluating the safety and activity of escalating doses of AST-OPC1 cells in newly injured patients with sensory and motor complete cervical spinal cord injury. The three patients in the first cohort…

Implantable tech that restores movement in paralyzed patients available in 2017

Case Western Reserve University’s Institute for Functional Restoration (IFR) and Synapse Biomedical Inc. have entered a partnership to commercialize fully implantable systems that restore muscle function in paralyzed patients. The technology uses electrical stimulation to activate neural pathways and create…

Sydney researchers show injury level affects heart rate variability and fatigue in adults with spinal cord injury

Higher levels of neurological impairment in people with SCI are more likely to result in disordered cardiovascular control involving reduced sympathetic activity, whereas elevated fatigue was found to be associated with increased sympathetic dysfunction. Findings highlight the need to address…

Sydney researchers show injury level affects heart rate variability and fatigue in adults with spinal cord injury

A study published in Nature reports that higher level spinal cord injuries are more likely to result in disordered cardiovascular control involving reduced sympathetic activity leading to a higher risk of cardiovascular issues. Read more…

First evidence of how obstructive sleep apnea damages the brain

Sleep apnea is a curse afflicting most of those with cervical spinal cord injuries and many uninjured people. This study by UCLA researchers offers the first evidence that obstructive sleep apnea contributes to a breakdown of the blood–brain barrier, which…