Elastic implant 'restores movement' in paralysed rats (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By James Gallagher
Health editor, BBC News website

An elastic implant that moves with the spinal cord can restore the ability to walk in paralysed rats, say scientists.

Implants are an exciting field of research in spinal cord injury, but rigid designs damage surrounding tissue and ultimately fail.

A team at Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) has developed flexible implants that work for months.

It was described by experts as a "groundbreaking achievement of technology".
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The same group of researchers showed that chemically and electrically stimulating the spinal cord after injury meant rats could "sprint over ground, climb stairs and even pass obstacles".
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more: http://www.bbc.com/news/health-30725899

[d_r]

1. wouldn't that be remarkable

if they can make it work for people?

[n2doc]

2. poor rats. Try it on human volunteers n/t

[packman]

3. I was going to criticize your post as being too concerned about rats vs. humans

but you're right. If I was paralyzed , I would be begging them to try it on me. Same with any experimental drug or device if I could benefit from it.
I know that prisoners often volunteer for such drug/medical experiments .