Project NEUWalk

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Title: Project NEUWalk

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Project NEUWalk

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THE SPINAL CORD

The spinal cord, along with the brain, make up
the Central Nervous System
Its comprised of nervous tissue which allows for
communication between the brain and the body
If damaged, signals cannot be properly
transmitted and often leads to paralysis
There are few available treatments and no cures
for a spinal cord injury

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THE SPINAL CORD INJURY
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EPFL Study

Scientists at the Swiss Federal Institute of
Technology (EPFL) have developed a system to
allow rats with severed spinal cords to walk
again
The rat has no voluntary control of its limbs,
but the severed spinal cord can be reactivated
and stimulated to perform natural walking. -
Gregoire Courtine (EPFL)

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EPFL Study cont.

In order to stimulate the paralyzed legs of the
rats, a wireless neurotransmitter is used in
combination with surgically placed electrodes in
the rats spine
Varying the amplitudes and frequencies of the
applied electrical signals combine for different
movements of the limbs

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NEUWalk

EPFL is in collaboration with other European
neuroscientists to make their neuroprosthetic
available for human medical use
With a successful trial with rats, human trials
are scheduled to begin the summer of 2015

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Project NEUWalk, From Rats to Humans
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Future of NEUWalk

Human trials in the summer of 2015
Combined with the Gait Platform, NEUWalk can
revolutionize rehabilitation with spinal cord
injury patients and Parkinsons patients
This technology could also lead to a real time,
brain controlled neuroprosthetic

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References

IFL Science lthttp//www.iflscience.com/health-and-
medicine/spinal-cord-stimulation-allows-completely
-paralyzed-rats-walk-againgt.
Popular Mechanics article lthttp//www.popularmecha
nics.com/science/health/nueroscience/prosthetics-a
re-telling-paralyzed-leg-how-to-walk-again-1724305
5?clickpm_latestgt.
EurekAlert EPFL Publication. lthttp//www.eurekale
rt.org/pub_releases/2014-09/epfd-frt092114.phpgt.
National Library of Medicine Spinal Cord
Injuries. lthttp//www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spin
alcordinjuries.htmlgt.
NEUWalk Project Website. lthttp//www.neuwalk.eu/gt.
From Rats to Humans Youtube Video.
lthttps//www.youtube.com/watch?vfxNRfxeFnjkgt.