News summary produced by Claude AI
Keith Thomas of Massapequa, New York, became paralyzed from the chest down following a swimming accident six years ago. After joining a clinical trial in October 2021, he received an implant containing electrodes in his brain designed to restore movement and sensation through what researchers term a “double neural bypass.”
The technology developed by Prof Chad Bouton’s team at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research works by detecting signals from Thomas’s brain that indicate his intention to move his arms. These signals are then transmitted to his arms and hands to produce movement. Simultaneously, pressure sensors placed on his hand, fingers, and thumb detect physical contact with objects and transmit signals back to his brain to recreate the sensation of touch, completing a functional circuit between intention, action, and sensory feedback.
After 35 weeks of training with the system, Thomas demonstrated significant improvements. The strength in his right arm increased by 86 percent, while his left arm showed a 62 percent increase in strength. He progressed from being unable to lift his hands to his face to independently performing tasks such as scratching his nose and wiping his face. The system proved capable of handling delicate objects, including eggshells.
Researchers subsequently developed a technique called cortical mirroring to enhance Thomas’s tactile sensation. This involved recording his brain activity while he imagined being touched, then stimulating his sensory brain regions with matching patterns while simultaneously stimulating his skin and spinal cord. After 25 weeks of this therapy targeting his right wrist, Thomas regained touch sensation in an area that had been numb since his accident. Notably, these functional and sensory gains persisted more than two years after the initial training period.
The research team noted that uncertainty remains regarding the full extent of function and sensation the technology can restore, and additional trials involving more patients are necessary to evaluate its effectiveness across different types of spinal cord injuries.