Articles tagged with Paralysis
A new study published in Nature Communications finds that a protein called saxiphilin can neutralize the potent neurotoxin saxitoxin, preventing and even reversing paralytic shellfish poisoning. The discovery could have important public health implications as saxitoxin accumulates in shellfish and causes poisoning when consumed.
The study reveals how genetic mutations disrupt muscle signaling in CMS, a family of genetic disorders that weaken communication between nerves and muscles. Researchers identified promising new therapeutic opportunities, including a potential use for an existing antidepressant.
A clinical trial is underway at Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine to develop advanced neuroprosthetics for individuals with paralysis. The team is working on decoding cortical neural signals to control robotic assistive devices, enabling people with tetraplegia to eat and drink independently.
Researchers discovered that strokes cause a chain reaction within the brain, leading to neuronal cell death. They found that blocking collagen production can prevent this damage and even restore motor function in paralyzed monkeys. The new drug KDS12025 reduces hydrogen peroxide levels and prevents the entire process from being triggered.
Researchers at USC, Caltech, and UC Irvine have developed a two-way brain interface that allows patients to control wearable robotic legs using their thoughts. The system accurately detected brain signals indicating the intent to walk about 92% of the time and restored walking sensations with about 93% accuracy in an early proof-of-con...
Researchers developed an advanced organoid model for human spinal cord injury and tested a promising regenerative therapy. The treatment triggered neurite growth and reduced scarring in injured organoids, offering validation for its potential to work in humans.
A study of 101 glioma cases reveals that one-third of patients develop permanent paralysis after surgery. High tumor grade, pre-operative motor deficits, and larger tumor volume are key predictors. The work underscores the importance of careful surgical planning to maximize survival while safeguarding motor function.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that older adults with chronic kidney disease or cerebrovascular disease are at double the risk for developing neuroinvasive West Nile virus infection, which can lead to paralysis and death. The study identified several risk factors, including male sex, immune suppressants, and multiple scle...
A nationwide analysis found that roughly 25% of patients with Bell's palsy received CT or MRI scans within 30 days of diagnosis, not aligned with current guidelines. This study highlights the need for initiatives to align clinical practice with evidence-based guidelines, promoting early treatment and minimizing unnecessary imaging.
Scientists develop brain-computer interface that allows users to design distinct tactile experiences for different objects, enabling them to guess the object by sensation alone. The study represents an important step towards creating a neuroprosthetic that feels pleasant and intuitive to use.
Researchers from Radboud University Medical Center found that an existing drug can revive immune cells paralyzed by sepsis, a leading cause of death in ICUs. The study provides new perspectives for the treatment of sepsis and may lead to potential treatments for patients with immune paralysis.
An 11-year-old Asian small-clawed otter developed left-sided paralysis after a fall, but improved with treatment for a suspected fibrocartilaginous embolus. Follow-up MRI showed a diminished lesion one year later.
Researchers discover edonerpic maleate enhances neural plasticity, supporting cortical reorganization and improving motor control in non-human primates with SCI. The compound promotes AMPA receptor movement to areas responsible for motor control, strengthening existing neural connections.
A team developed a system integrating implanted spinal cord neuroprosthesis with rehabilitation robotics, delivering well-timed electrical pulses to stimulate muscles. The technology enhances immediate mobility and fosters long-term recovery, presenting a more effective rehabilitation approach than robotics alone.
Researchers at UC San Francisco have enabled a paralyzed man to control a robotic arm through a device that relays signals from his brain to a computer. The device, known as a brain-computer interface (BCI), worked for a record 7 months without needing to be adjusted.
The Tim and Caroline Reynolds Center at Kessler Foundation has successfully implanted a spinal cord epidural stimulator in an individual with paralysis. The treatment uses electrical impulses directly into the spinal cord, potentially allowing individuals to regain critical bodily functions such as bladder function and motor control.
A new prototype developed by the University of the Basque Country assesses and rehabilitates balance problems in patients after a stroke or due to other conditions. The device makes reliable and repeatable measurements using sensors on a platform that stimulates the patient's balance.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a unique method for encoding natural touch sensations via specific microstimulation patterns in implantable electrodes. This allows individuals with spinal cord injuries to feel tactile edges, shapes, curvatures and movements, enabling them to control a bionic arm with the...
Scientists at EPFL and Università San Raffaele have found a way to address muscle spasticity in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury by using high-frequency electrical stimulation. This treatment gives paralyzed patients access to rehabilitation protocols, overcoming muscular stiffness and spasms.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University developed a world-first system to automatically recommend optimal rehabilitation programs for stroke patients based on their motor paralysis degree. This system uses data from Teijin Pharma Ltd.'s ReoGo-J robot, providing tailored care even for staff without robotic experience.
A new study demonstrates that Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation (TSS) and movement training can improve walking ability in children with Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM). Three children showed significant improvements in walking distance, posture, speed, and overall function.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh discover that deep brain stimulation instantly improves arm and hand strength and function weakened by traumatic brain injury or stroke. The therapy stimulates the motor thalamus, a key relay hub of movement control, and significantly improves activation of muscles and grip force.
Researchers at UCSF have identified a molecular pathway that controls the formation of scar tissue in spinal cord injuries. By activating this pathway, they were able to reduce scarring and promote healing in mice with spinal cord injuries.
A new UBC Okanagan study emphasizes the importance of identifying and managing neuropathic pain in high-performance athletes with spinal cord injuries. The research stresses the need for sports medicine clinicians and trainers to use standardized assessment tools, including symptom-based questionnaires, to better understand and communi...
Researchers developed a new brain-computer interface that translates brain signals into speech with up to 97% accuracy, enabling a man with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to communicate with friends and family. The system was tested in real-time conversations with continuous updates, achieving high word accuracy rates.
A longitudinal study has found that tissue bridges in the spinal cord are associated with short- and long-term clinical improvements in patients with cervical spine injuries. The study's models, developed by a team of experts, incorporate tissue bridges for improved prognosis and can be transferred to other patient cohorts.
Researchers at EPFL have published an open-source project Tabulae Paralytica, providing a comprehensive understanding of spinal cord injury biology. The study identifies specific neurons and genes involved in recovery and proposes a successful gene therapy derived from its discoveries.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge developed flexible electronic devices that wrap around the spinal cord, recording nerve signals and stimulating limb movement. The devices could lead to treatments for spinal injuries without brain surgery, improving safety for patients.
A growing concern in Europe and globally, enterovirus paralysis can cause devastating symptoms similar to polio. Surveillance systems are desperately needed to identify the scale of this threat.
A new study presents a novel surgical technique for treating Moebius syndrome, a rare condition that prevents smiling and affects social engagement. The technique involves utilizing the ipsilateral facial nerve to power gracilis free functional muscle transfer in select patients with residual facial nerve activity.
Scooter-related injuries have significantly increased in the US, with a nearly three-fold rise from 2016 to 2020 and more than half of those injured patients undergoing major operations. Scooters are more frequently associated with long bone fractures and paralysis compared to bicycle riders.
Researchers from the University of Technology Sydney have developed a portable, non-invasive system that can decode silent thoughts and turn them into text. The technology has been shown to achieve state-of-the-art performance in EEG translation, with an accuracy score of around 40% on BLEU-1.
Researchers at Shimane University have found a way to prolong the therapeutic effects of botulinum toxin-A by blocking the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor. This breakthrough could lead to reduced frequency and cost of injections, improving patient outcomes and convenience.
Researchers at UCSF and UC Berkeley have developed a brain-computer interface (BCI) that allows a woman with severe paralysis from a brainstem stroke to speak through a digital avatar. The system can decode brain signals into text at nearly 80 words per minute, making it a vast improvement over commercially available technology.
A Pitt Professor believes oligodendrocytes, the nerve insulating cells, hold the solution to BCI's nagging problem. By understanding and preserving these cells, researchers aim to improve BCI's performance and expand its applications beyond paralysis.
Scientists at UCSF and NIBSC have developed two new oral polio vaccines with genetically engineered weakened poliovirus to reduce reversion to dangerous forms. These vaccines aim to boost the World Health Organization's efforts to eradicate polio, which has persisted despite successful international vaccination campaigns.
A team of researchers found that a small population of nerve cells exists in everyone that could be coaxed to regrow, potentially restoring sight and movement. The discovery provides new insights into how axons grow and could lead to effective therapies for blindness, paralysis, and other disorders caused by nerve damage.
A new study from UC San Diego shows that noninvasive brain imaging can distinguish among hand gestures with more than 85% accuracy. The research uses magnetoencephalography (MEG) to detect magnetic fields produced by neuronal electric currents, offering a safe and accurate option for developing brain-computer interfaces.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that SARS-CoV-2 infection significantly increases the risk of Bell palsy, whereas vaccination poses a lower risk. The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine did not differ significantly from the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine in terms of BP incidence.
A cell therapy using myeloid cells bound to drug delivery microparticles reduces disease burden in a preclinical multiple sclerosis model. The therapy partially reverses hind limb paralysis and improves motor functions.
Research discovers that reduced levels of Hsp47 protein can prevent blood clots in humans, pigs, and bears, even when immobile for extended periods. The study's findings could lead to new medicines for people with inherited blood clotting disorders.
A new head-worn device allows users to control a mobile robot via head motion and speech recognition, requiring fewer fine motor skills than existing technologies. In a human study, participants performed household and self-care tasks with low error rates, minimal effort, and high perceived ease of use.
A new clinical trial report reveals that brain-computer interface implants are associated with a low rate of adverse events, similar to those experienced by patients with other chronic medical conditions. The study, which followed 14 participants for an average of 872 days, found no serious adverse events or device removals.
The Wyss Center's ABILITY system, a fully implantable brain-computer interface, records neural activity in sheep with high accuracy, decoding fine movement intention from small brain areas. The device is designed to improve quality of life and independence for people with severe paralysis.
New research presents neurotechnology as a powerful tool for studying the brain and enabling targeted therapies for neurological disorders. Devices like nerve stimulators and brain implants can monitor or modulate neural activity, offering potential treatments for conditions such as paralysis and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
A new study published in Neurology found that most children with Bell's palsy recover within six months without medication. The research showed no significant impact of steroid prednisolone on child recovery from the condition.
Researchers are exploring the use of electrical spinal cord stimulation to help people with spinal cord injuries regain some movement. The study will investigate how the central nervous system changes in response to stimulation and exercise, with the goal of developing more effective rehabilitation strategies.
Researchers discovered that brain-robot interfaces can reroute motor pathways around damaged areas in stroke patients, allowing for improved hand function and control. This breakthrough technology uses proprioceptive feedback to enhance communication between the brain and muscles.
A research team has won the NIH's Neuromod Prize for their innovative approach to spinal stimulation, which uses autonomic neuromodulation to regulate nervous system activity. The breakthrough could lead to improved autonomy and daily functioning for people with spinal cord injuries.
Researchers developed a technology that uses surviving neurons to restore connection between brain and arm via specific stimulation pulses to the spinal cord. This allowed macaque monkeys with partial arm paralysis to improve precision, force, and range of movement in their arms.
Researchers from Tel Aviv University have engineered 3D human spinal cord tissues and implanted them in lab models with long-term chronic paralysis, resulting in an 80% success rate in restoring walking abilities. The team aims to conduct clinical trials in human patients within a few years to make the treatment commercially available.
The Tennessee AgrAbility Project has received new funding from the USDA, bolstering its impact and success into 2022. The program, a collaboration between the University of Tennessee Extension and NIFA, assists farmers and farm workers with disabilities by providing support, resources, and equipment to enhance their quality of life.
The Charles Lazarus Children’s Abilities Center at Mount Sinai offers cutting-edge treatments for children with disabilities, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The center features state-of-the-art equipment and a multidisciplinary team of experts providing comprehensive care to children from birth to age 21.
Researchers found that vitamin B12 supplementation improved movement in worms with Alzheimer's-like symptoms, suggesting a potential link between diet and disease progression. The team also discovered that vitamin B12 relies on an enzyme called methionine synthase to work, and its effects are limited to those with dietary deficiencies.
UCSF researchers successfully developed a speech neuroprosthesis, enabling a paralyzed man to communicate in sentences by translating brain signals into words. The technology promises more natural communication for people with speech loss and could one day enable thousands of individuals to fully communicate.
Researchers have deciphered brain activity associated with trying to write letters by hand and developed an algorithm to identify letters. The system displayed the text on a screen in real time, allowing the participant to type 90 characters per minute, more than double the previous record for typing with a brain-computer interface.
Researchers analyzed COVID-19 vaccination data and found no significant association between mRNA vaccines and facial paralysis. The study suggests that compared to other viral vaccines, mRNA COVID-19 vaccines do not display a signal of facial paralysis.
The Seminar for Neurotrauma and Diseases at Purdue University features innovative technologies to treat traumatic brain injuries, newly discovered biomarkers, and integrative neuroscience techniques. Researchers will showcase advancements in neurotrauma research with the help of industry leaders like Plexon.
A new treatment approach and delivery vehicle has been developed to reverse botulism paralysis in mice, showing promise for treating other neurological disorders. The therapy uses a detoxified botulinum toxin as a delivery vehicle for a mini-antibody derived from camels.
Researchers have created non-toxic versions of botulinum neurotoxins that can deliver therapeutic antibodies to neurons, reversing paralysis within hours. The toxin derivatives offer a promising approach to treat established cases of botulism and target hard-to-reach molecules.