Directly Connecting the Brain to Muscles After Paralysis has Occurred

A study funded by the National Institue of Health revealed that an artifical connection between the brain and hand muscles can partially restore hand movements in monkeys after paralysis. A device used to detect brains signals that generate arm and hand movement was combined with another eletrical device that sends eletrical currents to paralyzed muscles. An anesthetic temporarily paralyzed nerve activity at the elbows of test monkeys, but with the aid of the neuroprosthesis machines, these monkeys were able to regain movements in the paralyzed hands and forearms. According to one of the doctors involved in the study, "This connection from brain to muscles might someday be used to help patients paralyzed due to spinal cord injury perform activities of daily living and achieve greater independence."http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2012/04/18/brainactivated_muscle_stimulation_restores_monkeys_hand_movement_after_paralysis.html