Jamo

iTrader: (23)

pretty amazing, wonder what they will be able to do with 5 or 10 more years research.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13444036

David Lock

I thought this was stunning news and what a fantastic moment for the guy. Simply wonderful.

As the article emphasises this is no instant cure for others and a lot of work and research is still to be done. This will take some years.

But do you remember a couple of years ago when that young lad, crippled in a rugby accident, killed himself because he had lost hope. His parents must take this news as a bitter sweet pill.

dl

Spoon

Any news highlighting research into spinal cord injuries has to be a good thing even if a possible cure has been on the cards for the last 25 years or so. I see this story as being just that rather than any real significant step forward in the hunt to cure paralysis.

Reading the journal it says "after 170 locomotor training sessions over 26 months" and that is pre-electrode implantation. Then epidural stimulation is required for the electrodes to perform.

The summary is precise in that it says; "These interventions could be a viable clinical approach for functional recovery after severe paralysis".
In my mind it doesn't necessarily mean anymore than a possible help to lessen the severity of the paralysis to aid movement rather than cure it enough to see the paralysed walk unaided bar possibly a tiny computer.

There are so many variables to gaining this 'recovery' too. A few to consider are age, length of time already paralysed and type of injury, complete or incomplete. Even the paraplegic chap featured is way off walking in its normal state and that is before we look at the possibility of Tetraplegics benefitting.

That said, the more people read about 'progress' the better.

Geezer

That's a bit misleading, he can't walk and he can't stand totally unaided, and it's only for very short periods whilst the device is powered on.

But, indeed, every great journey and all that, in 20 years time who knows what will be possible?

Geezer

Spoon

David, his injuries weren't even in the same league as the Paraplegic featured in the link. This article makes little difference to the reality of seeing a complete tetraplegic walking, and Dan's family will know that.

Leslie

What a wonderful story this is, and also the hope that this could give people with similar problems in the future or some people now of course.

Could mean some great further discoveries for the future.

Les