The stimulation of the spinal cord returns the movement for people with muscle atrophy
People with spinal muscle atrophy (SMA), inherited neuromuscular disease, usually have muscle weakness that affects movement.
New research suggests that electrical the stimulation of the spinal cord It could improve muscle function for these patients, even to renew the ability to walk.
In studies at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, it has been shown that the sessions of spinal cord stimulation restore the activity of motor neurons and improve muscle strength in the legs for patients with SMA.
The findings were published in Nature medicine on February 5.
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“All patients had a rare illness that destroys neurons in the spinal cord (similar to Polio) because of genetic birth disorder,” said Dr. Peter Konrad, President of the Neurosurgery Department of the WVU Rockefeller Institute Neuroscience Institute in Western Virginia, Fox News Digital said . (Konrad was not included in the studio.)
A participant of the Doug McCullough research uses a bike to adapt to exercise during testing at the University of Pittsburgh. (Nate Langer, Upmc and University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences)
“The disease weakens legs and the ability to walk … causing the form of slow paralysis. It was thought to be stimulating the entry of remaining neurons improves Strength and endurance in patients treated this way. “
Study co -author Marco Capogrosso, Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery at Pitt School of Medicine, said two things should happen to counteract neurodegeneration: the death of neurons must be stopped and that the function of surviving neurons must be restored.
“There was no great breakthrough in the treatment of this disease, so treatment was still aimed at helping improve their quality of life.”
“In this research, we have suggested approaching the cause of neural dysfunction, supplementing existing neuroprotective treatments with a new approach that cancels nerve cell dysfunction,” Capogrosso said in a statement to the public.
Three people with KNI participated in the study. In a month they received the stimulation of the spinal cord Five times a week for four hours. At the end of the trial period, everyone experienced “improved motoneuron function, reduced fatigue and improved forces and walking in all participants,” the statement said.
The Doug McCullough research participant uses a body support system for walking during testing at the University of Pittsburgh. (Nate Langer, Upmc and University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences)
“Three patients recorded an average of 40% improvements in the length of steps, up to 180% of strength improvements and a 26-minute improvement of walking time,” Konrad, based on his examination of the study.
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“It’s a big deal for patients with this condition, depending on the auxiliary devices to move with a little endurance.”
One of the participants, Doug McCullough, had advanced symptoms and had difficulty walking.
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“Since my hip flexes are so weak, basically I have this crowd walking where my hips swing forward -I can roam my legs aside because I can’t pick them up directly,” he said in the issue. “You could clearly see from the video that my walk was improved and walking faster. I had a little more natural walking. It was still not completely normal, but it was better than what was before the study.”
Researchers Genis Prat Ortega (left) and Serena Donadio (right) with a participant in research by Doug McCullough (Center) during testing at the University of Pittsburgh. (Nate Langer, Upmc and University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences)
Although the NAS is a progressive illness that is getting worse over time, patients in the study had a noticeable improvement, according to the co -author of the study of Elvira Pirondini, the assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Pitt School of Medicine.
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“During four weeks of treatment, our study participants improved in several Clinical outcomesWith improvements of daily activities, “she said in a statement.
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“For example, according to the end of the study, one patient reported that he could walk from his home to the laboratory without getting tired.”
The study is “proof of a concept” that gives hope to people with this species genetically disabilityAccording to Konrad.
“Towards the end of the study, one patient reported that he could walk from his home to the lab without being tired.”
“There was no great breakthrough in the treatment of this disease, so treatment was still aimed at helping improve their quality of life,” Fox News Digital told Fox News.
“It also shows that devices such as spinal cord stimulation and other types of neuromodulation are a safe and effective method for the treatment of paralysis when little can be offered in the form of drugs or gene therapies.”
Graduate student Scott Ensel (left) helps participants in research Doug McCullough during testing at the University of Pittsburgh. (Nate Langer, Upmc and University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences)
Looking in advance, the team plans to continue research with other patients SMA UA New clinical trial To test the safety and efficiency of treatment.
In the future, they hope to apply this therapy to other neurodegenerative diseases, such as ALS or Huntington’s disease.
