Regaining the ability to walk through the power of thought following a spinal cord injury.

Neuroscientists and neurosurgeons from EPFL/CHUV/UNIL and CEA/CHUGA/UGA have published a study in the journal Nature, revealing their achievement in restoring thought-controlled walking for individuals with spinal cord injuries. By establishing a wireless digital bridge between the brain and spinal cord using brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, paralyzed individuals have been able to regain natural control over their leg movements. The study presents the case of Gert-Jan, a 40-year-old who regained the ability to stand, walk, and even climb stairs after a bicycle accident left him paralyzed. The digital bridge consists of two electronic implants—one on the brain and another on the spinal cord. The brain implant, WIMAGINE®, developed by CEA, decodes electrical signals generated by the brain when thinking about walking. The spinal cord implant, connected to a neurostimulator and electrode array, delivers electrical stimulation to activate leg muscles and achieve desired movements. This wireless digital bridge has the potential to revolutionize rehabilitation for spinal cord injury patients and offers hope for restoring other neurological functions in the future. The research is supported by various foundations, organizations, and grants, with plans to develop a commercial version of the digital bridge for global availability. The study, titled “Walking naturally after spinal cord injury using a brain-spine interface,” was published in Nature on May 24, 2023.

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