Castilla-La Mancha Institute for Health Research (IDISCAM)
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Head of the Experimental Neurophysiology Group at the Research Unit of the Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, member of the Castilla-La Mancha Health Service (SESCAM) and the Castilla-La Mancha Health Research Institute (IDISCAM)
According to a study published in Nature Medicine, deep brain stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus improves walking and promotes recovery in humans and rodents with spinal cord injuries. In humans, the authors tested this technique on two patients who relied on assistive devices and had difficulty walking; both showed improved performance in the ten-meter and six-minute walking tests. Combined with rehabilitation, the patients experienced recovery that persisted even after the deep brain stimulation was turned off.
A neuroprosthetic interface allows a bionic leg to respond to the nervous system of amputees to make walking faster and more natural, says a study published in Nature Medicine. The clinical trial involved 14 people with below-knee amputations: seven with a surgically attached bionic leg compared to seven without the interface.