Swiss Researchers Restore Walking in Paraplegic Patients with Brain Stimulation Targeting Lateral Hypothalamus

Dec 2, 2024, 05:15 PM

Swiss researchers have achieved a groundbreaking medical advancement by enabling two paraplegic patients with partial spinal cord injuries to walk again using deep brain stimulation (DBS). The technique involves implanting electrodes in the lateral hypothalamus, a brain region not traditionally associated with movement, to stimulate neural activity. This innovative approach has shown promising results, allowing the patients to walk short distances, climb stairs, and improve lower limb movements. The study, published in Nature Medicine, also demonstrated similar recovery outcomes in preclinical models, including mice and rats. These findings highlight the potential of DBS as a transformative therapy for spinal cord injury rehabilitation.