A team of researchers in Australia has achieved a major breakthrough by restoring movement in rats with spinal cord injuries using an ultra-thin implantable electronic device.
The study, conducted at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, opens up the possibility of an effective treatment for human patients and even for paralysed pets in the future.
Unlike a cut on the skin, spinal cord injuries do not naturally regenerate, often resulting in lifelong disability.
Lead researcher Dr Bruce Harland, a senior fellow in the university’s School of Pharmacy, explained, “The spinal cord does not heal on its own, making these injuries devastating and, until now, incurable.”
The innovation
The research team developed a paper-thin electronic implant designed to sit precisely over the injured section of the spinal cord.
The device works by delivering controlled electrical currents to the damaged area, aimed at stimulating the body’s own repair mechanisms.
“Our implant sits directly on the spinal cord and delivers a carefully controlled electric field to promote healing,” said Dr Harland.
The study has been published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications.
Promising trial results
The trial involved rats, which naturally have a higher capacity for spontaneous recovery than humans.
By comparing animals treated with electrical stimulation to those left to recover unaided, researchers could assess the implant’s true impact.
Over the course of 12 weeks, the rats receiving daily electrical treatment exhibited significantly better movement and responded faster to gentle touch.
These findings suggest that the therapy supported both motor and sensory recovery.
Crucially, the implant showed no signs of causing inflammation or further damage to the spinal cord. “Our analysis confirmed the safety and effectiveness of the device,” Dr Harland noted.
Professor Darren Svirskis, director of the CatWalk Cure Programme at the School of Pharmacy, said the ultimate goal is to transform this innovation into a usable medical device for people suffering from spinal cord injuries.
Professor Maria Asplund of Chalmers University of Technology, who is collaborating on the research, highlighted the next steps: “We now need to explore the optimal parameters — strength, frequency, and duration of stimulation — to find the most effective treatment protocol.”
Although human trials are still a way off, the success of this study has sparked optimism.
If proven effective in humans, this implant could revolutionise how spinal injuries are treated, offering a pathway to regaining movement and sensation lost to paralysis.
This breakthrough marks a promising chapter in the field of regenerative medicine and neurological rehabilitation.
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