Brain implants could help those with spinal cord injuryRSS Feed
Microelectrodes implanted in the brain could be used to help those paralysed by a spinal cord injury, studies have suggested.
Scientists from the University of Michigan have created brain implants that are able to clearly record signals from surrounding neurons in rats.
After the electrodes are implanted, the brain first reacts to the injury with an inflammatory response before beginning to heal the wound, explained the report – which is to be published in the October 5th issue of Advanced Materials.
Compared to conventional metal electrodes, the implants developed by investigators at the University of Michigan were coated with a biocompatible and electrically conductive polymer known as poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene).
Mohammad Reza Abidian is a post-doctoral researcher who worked on the project.
He stated: "These electrodes enable neuroprosthetic devices, which hold the promise to return functionality to individuals with spinal cord injuries and neurodegenerative diseases."
There are still a number of challenges regarding the application of the devices, Mr Abidian concluded.
In other news, researchers from the Clemson University and University of Calgary recently looked at how lizards' tales could help studies into the effects of spinal cord injuries.
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