Nerve Reattachment May Boost Ability to Control Prosthetics

[Biscuit]

CHICAGO, Feb. 10 -- Moving nerves that formerly served amputated limbs so that they activate other muscles helped improve control of prosthetic arms and hands, researchers here said.

Five patients with upper-arm or shoulder amputations showed near-normal abilities to simulate a series of elbow, wrist, and hand movements on a computer screen, reported Todd A. Kuiken, M.D., Ph.D., of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, and colleagues in the Feb. 11 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

http://www.medpagetoday.com/PublicHe...Medicine/12824

Prosthesis, specifically in regards to veterans, is of particular interest to me. Thought some of you other guys and gals might find this interesting as well.

[AThousandYoung]

How long until they can do that from the base of the brain for an artificial body?

[Biscuit]

That's a great question, but I have no idea.

[Mountain Man]

I'm afraid it isn't that easy. There must be motor nerves and the muscles they enervate in order to do what I think you are hinting at. The impulse from the brain travels through the spinal cord until it reaches it those motor nerves. Since there aren't any at the base of the brain, I doubt the concept would be workable.

[Centrix Vigilis]

Originally Posted by Biscuit

http://www.medpagetoday.com/PublicHe...Medicine/12824

Prosthesis, specifically in regards to veterans, is of particular interest to me. Thought some of you other guys and gals might find this interesting as well.

outstanding research work ntl by those involved.