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Deep brain stimulation (DBS), a technology traditionally used to treat conditions like Parkinson’s disease, is showing promise in improving arm and hand function in people affected by traumatic brain injuries or strokes, according to a study published by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Nature Communications. The team discovered that DBS could immediately enhance muscle activation and grip strength in both monkeys and humans with motor impairments.
This groundbreaking research opens the door to potential new treatments for the millions of individuals worldwide suffering from upper-limb paralysis due to brain injuries.
The study explored the effects of stimulating the motor thalamus, a brain region crucial for movement control. By applying DBS to this area, researchers found it helped restore voluntary movements without causing involuntary side effects.
After successful trials in monkeys, the method was tested in a human patient who had lost arm function due to a car accident. The patient experienced significant improvement in their ability to lift objects and perform daily tasks.
Researchers are now focusing on understanding the long-term impact of DBS and its potential for wider clinical application in treating motor deficits caused by brain trauma.