A breakthrough in health technology gave hope to paralyzed people to walk again using an electronic system that is connected to the brain which directly controls the patient's legs without going through injured spine. The said brain-control system was tested to Adam Fritz a 28 year-old paralyzed man, who managed to take his first steps in 5 years.

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An Do and Zoran Nenadic, professors at the University of California and key authors of the system, declared that the experiment is still on the initial stage and they still have to find out how it can benefit more paralytic patients. The complete details and information regarding their first test with the said patient was written in their case report, Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation, published last Wednesday, Sept. 23.

At the start of the test, the researchers asked the patient to wear a head gear, a back pack, a contraption and a specialized belt. As the person decided to take a step, the cap with electrodes delivered signals from his brain to the amplifier on his back pack. The message was then sent wirelessly to a computer for analysis and processing. Afterwards, the computer directed the walk signal to the controller located at the belt. The controller then sent the stimulating signal to the patient's leg to make a step.

The first test became a success as the paralyzed man was able to walk a distance of 12 feet.

The experiment can be used by patients who got paralyzed due to spine injuries. The researchers further stated that a person should not have any other major health problems, aside from his spinal cord, that can influence the effectiveness of the system.

According to Randy Trumbower, a professor at Emory University School of Medicine, the research job has a lot of potentials. Yet, the system must still pass a number of analyses and examinations to prove its efficiency and safety before it may be utilized by a greater number of people with injured spinal cord.

As reported by the UCLA Newsroom, Sept. 1, similar studies that intend to help paralyzed individuals to walk again using brain control mechanism have also been conducted by a team of UCLA scientists.

Tagsbrain control system, paralyzed man walk, Zoran Nenadic, An Do, spinal cord injury, Adam Fritz