A Promising Stride Towards the Successful Rehabilitation of Paralysis

A Promising Stride Towards the Successful Rehabilitation of Paralysis 

Dr. Vincent Chen’s most recent work on peripheral neural stimulation takes a look into the contribution of the corticospinal system in the aforementioned stimulation. Using rabbits as test subjects, Chen and colleagues tested the possibility of using brain and peripheral nerve stimulation to assist in therapeutic rehabilitation. They developed electrical modalities for targeted neuromodulation, so in this way they could determine the proper method of fostering efficient rehabilitation, and thus recovery. In order to do this, they determined specific regions to target with the electrical stimulus. The reasoning behind using rabbits surrounds the similarity in anatomy of quadriceps with humans, also, they can use anesthesia and in vivo treatments without concern for detrimental human effects. They used several modalities such as transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation, transcranial Pulsed Current Stimulation, and repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. At the end of the study, they established that repeated peripheral and brain stimulation did produce a higher energy output in the rabbit leg, insisting nerve potentiation occurred. This is relevant in many contemporary topics: stroke, myocardial infarctions, spinal injuries, and other physically disabling conditions.

A recent article has shown promising results in paraplegic rehabilitation. A research team in Sweden has successfully restored the walking ability of rats with spinal lesions. Through intensive electrical stimulation and physical rehabilitation, the spinal connections were restored. This was successful to such an extent that some rats were able to regain the ability to run. The same idea in the Chen project was executed here, brain and spinal stimulation were induced, along with growth-promoting chemicals. The rats were put on a daily regimen of treadmill exercises using a vest to hold them upright with legs dangling. After 30 minutes of exercise for three weeks, rats started to show progress, moving voluntarily. After six weeks, the rats could walk or run on their own will. Now that they have shown that regeneration of severed spinal nerves is a possibility, they are ready to attempt human testing with this plan. From this, we see parallelism in the presentation by Dr. Chen. 

The ability for humans to induce neuronal regeneration and potentiation is a grand step into establishing an efficient method for rehabilitation in paralyzed patients. This is relevant in many ways, the most obvious is the restoration of motor control. Paralysis causes a tremendous burden in the lives of sufferers, normal activities become extraordinary obstacles. Hopefully, the human trials show positive results, hinting at the answer towards reversing paralyzing injuries.  

Works Cited:

Dr. Chen Research Paper: 10.1016/j.brs.2015.09.012

Chen, Chiun-Fan, Yin-Tsong Lin, Wen-Shiang Chen, and Felipe Fregni. "Contribution of Corticospinal Modulation and Total Electrical Energy for Peripheral-Nerve-Stimulation-Induced Neuroplasticity as Indexed by Additional Muscular Force." Brain Stimulation 9.1 (2016): 133-40. Web. <http://www.brainstimjrnl.com/article/S1935-861X(15)01133-X/abstract>.

Image: "How Humans, Monkeys Recover from Paralysis." The Hans India. The Hans India, 29 Aug. 2015. Web. 28 Feb. 2017. <http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/2015-08-29/How-humans-monkeys-recover-from-paralysis-173153>.

Video and Article: Carey, Benedict. "In Rat Experiment, New Hope for Spine Injuries." The New York Times. The New York Times, 31 May 2012. Web. 28 Feb. 2017. <http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/01/health/in-rat-experiment-new-hope-for-spine-injuries.html>.