Breakthrough in spinal cord injury treatment?

The spinal cord connects our brain to our body. Losing this connection means an inability to walk, sit, or use the toilet. However, scientists have found a way for the body to regenerate itself. Using a small bioelectronic implant, researchers at Chalmers have developed a method that allows the brain to partially regain communication with the body. The implant generates an electric field around the injury site, which has been shown to restore locomotor functions in rodents. This is a promising step toward improving the quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries. "People with spinal cord injuries cannot walk. If we can induce a small amount of regeneration, it may not be enough for a person to walk independently again, but it could be enough to regain control of the bladder or bowels," said Lukas Matter, a doctoral student at Chalmers University of Technology. Below is a video where Lukas Matter explains more about this small implant. The scientists plan to begin human trials