PARALYSED rats have walked again in a breakthrough dubbed by scientists “the World Cup of neuro-rehabilitation”, it emerged yesterday.
A team of scientists said they had “reawakened” a severed spine by stimulating spinal nerves using electrical currents from implanted electrodes, drug injections and exercise training.
It is the first study demonstrating that a severely damaged spinal cord can adapt and recover sufficiently to allow the brain to regain limb control.
The rats in the experiment were fitted with special robotic harnesses so only their hind legs reached the ground. They were then placed on a treadmill which produced only reflex stepping, and on ground where they had to choose to make their legs move if they wanted to reach a piece of chocolate as a reward.
They took their first voluntary steps after about two to three weeks of training, the researchers said but they still needed the harness to keep their balance.