New research suggests that paralyzed patients could regain some degree of movement, including the ability to walk, through deep brain stimulation therapy targeting the lateral hypothalamus.
Key Points
Deep brain stimulation therapy applied to lateral hypothalamus
Participants able to walk without assistance and climb stairs
Long-term improvement in mobility reported
Pros
Potential for paralyzed patients to regain movement
Improvement in mobility even without active stimulation
Discovery of the anatomical organization of brain functions
Cons
Therapy only beneficial for patients with incomplete injuries