A quadriplegic patient for over ten years, has been able to control a robotic arm just thinking about it and using your imagination, according to a study published today in the journal Science.
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, has made movements shaking hands or playing “rock-paper-scissors” operating a robotic arm next to it.
So far, 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 Professor Richard Andersen, director of the study.
With this research, the expert said, “we have managed to decode these real intentions simply ask the subject to imagine the movement as a whole, instead of divided into a myriad of components. “
After the operation in 2013, Sorto learned to control a computer cursor and a 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” during his apprenticeship was the first time that moved the robotic limb with his thoughts and said he was surprised ” how easy it was. “
The experimental results provide researchers with new information about the neural 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 the brain area related to the production of motion.
But in this case, the team made a different approach to implement neural recording devices in the posterior parietal cortex (PPC), the area of the brain where nerves contain information on how motor activity is planned.
Andersen said that this 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 patient while this imagined movements of the limbs and eyes.
Based on the neuronal activity recorded in those tests, they were able to provide that member wanted to move the patient, where he wanted to take in when 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 concepts more abstract as set goals and intentions.
The better understanding of PPC will help researchers improve in the future, the neuroprotésicos devices.
Dr. Andersen and his colleagues work now a strategy that allows the patient to improve their motor skills and the key issue is to make the robotic arm can give the brain a kind of sensory responses.
Although for the moment Sorto You 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 was 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.
EFE
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