Brain implant restores movement for US quadriplegic

By Barry Eitel

SAN FRANCISCO

A quadriplegic man has regained limited movement due to an implanted microchip in his brain, researchers said Wednesday.

The microchip sent neural signals between Ian Burkhart’s brain and hands, wrists and fingers that allowed him to swipe a credit card and play a video game.

Previously, scientists were able to translate neural signals to a robotic device, but this is the first time that a chip implant has been able to help a patient suffering with quadriplegia -- paralysis that affects all four limbs and torso -- move his or her own body.

The announcement about the successful use of the groundbreaking technology, called NeuroLife, was published Wednesday in the journal Nature by researchers working at Ohio State University.

“We're showing for the first time that a quadriplegic patient is able to improve his level of motor function and hand movements,” co-author Dr. Ali Rezai said in a statement.

Six years ago, Burkhart was paralyzed in an automobile collision that severely injured his spinal cord.

He received the NeuroLife implant and after three sessions a week for 15 months, is now able to grasp a glass bottle and pour the contents. He can also grab a stick and move it.

These four basic actions showcase several crucial hand and wrist movements.

While Burkhart can move only his arms, wrists and hands, the progress has given him a big boost of hope.

“For me being in a wheelchair and not being able to walk is not the biggest thing, but the lack of independence because you have to rely on so many people for things,” Burkhart told reporters. “The first time I was able to open and close my hand it really gave me that sense of hope that I already had in the back of mind, but this made it more real,” he added.