In an investigation of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and the Keck School of Medicine at UCLA, Erik Sorto, 34, paralyzed from the neck down, made movements shaking hands or playing “rock-paper-scissors” operating a robotic arm next to it.
Until now, neuroprotésicos devices were implanted in the brain area where it is located the center of the movement, the motor cortex, which may allow patients with amputations or paralysis control a robotic arm but with an awkward movement and lags behind the thought.
In this case, the researchers implanted microelectrodes in the brain area where the intention of the motion occurs, the posterior parietal cortex, which have made the patient to perform movements more naturally and smoothly.
” When you move an arm, not really think about the muscles to be activated or the details of the movement (…) but think about the goal of the movement “, for example take a glass of water, explained to EFE Professor Richard Andersen, director of the study.
With this research, the expert said, “we have managed to decode these real intentions to ask the subject simply imagined the movement as a whole, instead of divided into a myriad of components. “
After the operation in 2013, Sorto learned to control the cursor on a computer and robotic arm with his mind; and once completed training doctors found that was able to perform intuitive movements with the prosthesis.
Sorto said the most “exciting” time during their learning was the first time moved robotic limb with his thinking and said he was surprised “at how easy it was .”
The experimental results provide researchers with more information on neuronal activity underlying the voluntary movements of the body and presents an important step in improving neuroprotésicos devices.
Until now, researchers working in this area had implanted microelectrodes in area of the brain involved in movement production.
But in this case, the team made a different approach, by implementing neural recording devices in the posterior parietal cortex (PPC), the area of the brain where nerve contain information on how motor activity is planned.
Andersen said that it hoped that the signals coming from the PPC were easier to use for the patient making “and the process more intuitive movement.”
Using MRIs, researchers monitored the neurons of the patient while the imagined limb movements and eyes.
Based on the neuronal activity recorded in this test were able to predict which member wanted to move the patient, where they wanted to take, at what time and how fast.
The study, supported in previous monkeys and humans, suggest that the posterior parietal cortex is involved in the planning of actions, in addition to more abstract concepts how to set goals and intentions.
The greater understanding of PPC will help researchers improve in the future, the neuroprotésicos devices.
Dr. Andersen and his colleagues are now working on a strategy that allows the patient to improve their motor skills and the key issue is to ensure that the robotic arm can give the brain a kind of sensory responses.
Although currently Sorto can only move the robotic arm to very limited activities, the hope is that the neuro enable patients to perform tasks more practical to allow them to regain some independence, the study says.
“This study is very significant for me. The project needs me as much as I need the project, which has made a big difference in my life, “said Sorto.
GDA / NATION
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