video: Gregoire Courtine explains, in English, his results that show how a severed section of the spinal cord can make a comeback when its own innate intelligence and regenerative capacity -- what the researchers call the "spinal brain" -- is awakened. The study, begun five years ago at the University of Zurich, points to a profound change in our understanding of the central nervous system. It is yet unclear if similar rehabilitation techniques could work for humans, but the observed nerve growth hints at new methods for treating paralysis. This video relates to a paper that appeared in the June 1, 2012, issue of Science, published by AAAS. The paper, by R. van den Brand at the University of Zurich in Zurich, Switzerland, and colleagues was titled, "Restoring Voluntary Control of Locomotion after Paralyzing Spinal Cord Injury." view more
Credit: Video courtesy of EPFL