脑脊接口又有新突破，脊柱损伤、失明等患者迎来福音

2023。05，Grégoire Courtine 团队（瑞士洛桑联邦理工学院） 在顶级期刊Nature发表“Walking naturally after spinal cord injury using a brain–spine interface ”研究论文。

该研究构建“脑-脊髓接口（brain–spine interface，BSI）”的技术，该技术可恢复大脑与产生行走的脊髓区域之间的交流，并在皮质信号之间建立直接联系以及针对步行产生的脊髓区域的硬膜外电刺激的模拟调制，使慢性四肢瘫痪患者能够在社区环境中自然站立和行走。

摘要如下：

Abstract

A spinal cord injury interrupts the communication between the brain and the region of the spinal cord that produces walking, leading to paralysis1,2. Here, we restored this communication with a digital bridge between the brain and spinal cord that enabled an individual with chronic tetraplegia to stand and walk naturally in community settings. This brain-spine interface (BSI) consists of fully implanted recording and stimulation systems that establish a direct link between cortical signals3 and the analogue modulation of epidural electrical stimulation targeting the spinal cord regions involved in the production of walking4-6. A highly reliable BSI is calibrated within a few minutes. This reliability has remained stable over one year, including during independent use at home. The participant reports that the BSI enables natural control over the movements of his legs to stand, walk, climb stairs and even traverse complex terrains. Moreover, neurorehabilitation supported by the BSI improved neurological recovery. The participant regained the ability to walk with crutches overground even when the BSI was switched off. This digital bridge establishes a framework to restore natural control of movement after paralysis.

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