Mr. Gert-Jan Oskam (40 years old) is a Dutch engineer. In 2011, he came to China to live and work. But while he was cycling on the road, an unfortunate accident happened, according to The Independent (UK).
New treatment restores lost nerve connections between brain and spinal cord, allowing paralyzed person to walk again
The accident severely damaged Mr. Oskam’s spinal cord, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. Because both legs were paralyzed, he lost the ability to walk.
But recently, after 12 years of paralysis, Mr. Oskam began to take his first steps thanks to a new treatment method developed by neuroscientists at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland. This method is called a wireless digital bridge, which can restore the lost neural connection between the brain and the spinal cord.
Mr. Oskam underwent two surgeries to implant electrodes into his brain and spinal cord. The electrodes will be controlled by artificial intelligence, helping to reconnect nerve signals. This will allow the brain to regain control over the spinal cord and leg movement.
"When we met him, Mr. Oskam could not walk even one step due to a severe spinal injury," said Professor Jocelyn Bloch, a neurologist at EPFL.
After the transplant, Mr. Oskam was able to walk more than 100 meters. When the electrodes were turned off, Mr. Oskam was still able to walk, although he needed crutches.
"For the first time in more than 10 years, I was able to stand up and have a beer with some friends, which was great," Mr. Oskam shared.
The researchers said the treatment appeared to help form new neural connections, which allowed Mr Oskam to walk without the electrodes. The encouraging results raise hopes that it could help restore nerve function in paralysed people, according to The Independent.
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