Scientists discover how to restore ability to grasp in paralysed hand
Pioneering research by scientists at a North East university could help people who have been paralysed to re-gain the use of their hands.
The researchers at Newcastle University have been able to restore the ability to grab objects with a paralysed hand using spinal cord stimulation.
The work, which has been funded by the Wellcome Trust, could help stroke and spinal injury victims as the research has shown that by connecting the brain to a computer and then the computer to the spinal cord, it is possible to restore movement.
The discovery opens up the possibility of new treatments within the next few years which could help stroke victims or those with spinal cord injuries regain some movement in their arms and hands as currently there is no cure for upper limb paralysis.
The work, led by Dr Andrew Jackson, Research Fellow at Newcastle University and Dr Jonas Zimmermann, now at Brown University in America, is published in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience.
