A Paralyzed Man Can Now Walk

After a brutal car accident in 2006, Rob Summer was paralyzed chest down. After the accident Summers was given two years of therapy to gain movement in his legs. After all this, he still wasn’t able to even move his toe.

Then, in 2009 Summers was given a surgery where the doctors placed a device that would electrically provoke the lower spine. The device is supposed to copy the signal that usually comes from the brain. Right when the indication is given to the spine, the patient tries to do something with his legs. In this case, he would attempt to stand up without help. When Summers wants to move his legs, the nerves in the spinal cord work to control the muscle movement. All of this happens without the brain’s contribution.

After a while, however, the brain was able to make some sort of connection with the legs. When Summers wants to move his legs or arms voluntarily, the brain actually gets an input. Researchers aren’t truly sure how this even happened. However, the believe that the electrical stimulation must of turned on the nerve circuits that weren’t damaged by the accident. Another theory they have is that the electrical stimulation created new connections with the injured nerves.

I find this article to be very interesting. It is definitely a medical breakthrough. The fact that a man who couldn’t even move a toe for four years can now walk, is truly amazing. Additionally, through this, scientist learned much more. They learned that even if you are totally paralyzed, there is still some nerve activity. This information is crucial to know if you are treating paralyzed patients. One day, everyone will be able to walk.

Source:

http://www.livescience.com/14245-paralyzed-man-spinal-cord-injury-walks-electrical-stimulation-therapy.html

A Possible New Lung Stem Cell

After a recent study, scientist may have found a stem cell in the human lung. The stem cell found was capable of making a large amount of the organ’s tissue. To find out if the cell is really a stem cell, scientists tested it out on mice. They punctured the lungs of twenty-nine mice. Then, they injected the six doses of twenty thousand cells into the mice. Within the next ten to fourteen days, the cells that were injected created new airways, blood vessels, and air sacs in all of the mice. This showed a huge difference. The stem cells produced millions of new cells in a very short time. With this new discovery, scientists may be able treat deadly lung diseases, such as emphysema. It may also be able to treat pulmonary hypertension, which is high blood pressure in lungs’ arteries. Another way stem cells could be used is to help the lung recover after lung cancer surgery. However, scientists are not sure on whether the lung stem cell could help with asthma.

I find this to be a remarkable discovery that will change the face of medicine. Finally, we may have found a cure for fatal diseases like emphysema. This disease kills thousands of people every year. To have a cure for it is amazing. Although scientists aren’t sure on what diseases it will cure, it is up to our generations to find out. The stem cell discovery shows that technology is drastically improving. With this discovery, emphysema and other lung diseases will soon be a joke.

Sources:

Article and Picture:

http://healthland.time.com/2011/05/13/scientists-identify-possible-human-lung-stem-cell/