Restoring Movement in Paralysis with a Bioelectronic Neural Bypass Approach: Current State and Future Directions.

Publication Date

2019

Journal Title

Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med

Abstract

Bioelectronic medicine is a rapidly growing field that explores targeted neuromodulation in new treatment options addressing both disease and injury. New bioelectronic methods are being developed to monitor and modulate neural activity directly. The therapeutic benefit of these approaches has been validated in recent clinical studies in various conditions, including paralysis. By using decoding and modulation strategies together, it is possible to restore lost function to those living with paralysis and other debilitating conditions by interpreting and rerouting signals around the affected portion of the nervous system. This, in effect, creates a bioelectronic "neural bypass" to serve the function of the damaged/degenerated network. By learning the language of neurons and using neural interface technology to tap into critical networks, new approaches to repairing or restoring function in areas impacted by disease or injury may become a reality.

Volume Number

9

Issue Number

11

Document Type

Article

Status

Faculty

Facility

School of Medicine

Primary Department

Molecular Medicine

PMID

30745288

DOI

10.1101/cshperspect.a034306

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