the cervical spinal cord and the effectiveness of ARCEX Therapy to improve arm and hand functions compared to rehabilitation alone.
Lead author to this study, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington Chet Moritz, recently told Seattle’s KUOW in an interview:
“What we think is happening is the sensory nerves are helping the motor neurons become ready to fire, so that any remaining signal that can make it through the spinal cord injury from the brain is able to have that immediate effect and cause that movement,” Moritz said.
“The goal is to bring the neurons in the spinal cord closer to threshold so that your brain can turn them on when you want to move,” Moritz said.
Over the long term, the device aids in neural plasticity, which enables learning and memory. Neurons that fire together eventually wire together.
“If two neurons are active at about the same time, and one neuron causes another neuron to become active, the synapses between those neurons become stronger,” Moritz said.
Moritz and his colleagues were excited that the gains patients made often continued even after the device was detached.2
“The goal is to bring the neurons in the spinal cord closer to threshold so that your brain can turn them on when you want to move,” Moritz said.
This article originally appeared on September 13, 2024 on the Adler Giersch Provider Blog and was entitled “More Hope for Survivors of Spinal Cord Injury.”
https://www.adlergiersch.com/provider-blog/spinal-cord-injury-study/
References: 1. Image above: Moritz, C., Field-Fote, E.C., Tefertiller, C. et al. Non invasive spinal cord electrical stimulation for arm and hand function in chronic tetraplegia: a safety and efficacy trial. Nat Med 30, 1276–1283 (2024).
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-02940-9.
2.
https://www.kuow.org/stories/things-are-happening-new-tech-offers-groundbreaking-recovery- in-spinal-injuries
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