Researchers have revealed that deep brain stimulation of a specific region can significantly enhance mobility in patients with severe spinal cord injuries. The groundbreaking study demonstrates the potential of this technique in restoring movement to the lower limbs of individuals previously paralysed.
The study, conducted on rats, mice, and two human patients, focused on stimulating the lateral hypothalamic area of the brain. According to the findings, this stimulation “immediately boosted the ability to walk.” Although deep brain stimulation has been used to treat conditions like Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, this is the first time it has been tested for spinal cord injuries.
In both patients involved in the study, some neural pathways between the brain and spinal cord remained partially functional despite their injuries. Jocelyne Bloch, who led the research at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, explained the breakthrough moment. “When we placed the electrode and initiated the stimulation, the first patient immediately said, ‘I feel my legs.’ As we increased the stimulation, she added, ‘I feel the need to walk.’”
Bloch noted that these responses confirmed the researchers had targeted the correct brain region, even though it was not previously associated with leg control in humans. “At that moment, we realised we were witnessing something extraordinary,” she added.
One of the patients, a 54-year-old man, had been using a wheelchair since a skiing accident in 2006. Shortly after undergoing treatment, he was able to take “a few steps” and even perform tasks like “reaching for items in kitchen cabinets.”
The researchers also observed long-term improvements in both patients, which persisted even after the stimulation was turned off. This suggests that the treatment may help rewire neural connections and restore some degree of natural motor function.
