Paralysis News and Research

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Paralysis is the loss of muscle function in part of your body. It happens when something goes wrong with the way messages pass between your brain and muscles. Paralysis can be complete or partial. It can occur on one or both sides of your body. It can also occur in just one area, or it can be widespread. Paralysis of the lower half of your body, including both legs, is called paraplegia. Paralysis of the arms and legs is quadriplegia.

UTSW researchers uncover shape of key protein involved in muscle contraction

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have uncovered the detailed shape of a key protein involved in muscle contraction. The report, published today in Neuron, may lead to improved understanding of muscle-weakening genetic conditions called congenital myasthenic syndromes.

12 Apr 2020

Newer drug associated with significantly reduced rates of pulmonary complications

The tragic COVID-19 pandemic is creating new awareness regarding the importance of breathing problems, pneumonia and ventilators.

8 Apr 2020

New project aims to develop flexible, injectable microstimulators to restore movement in paralysis

The project Electronic AXONs: wireless microstimulators based on electronic rectification of epidermically applied currents (eAXON, 2017-2022), funded by a European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant awarded to Antoni Ivorra, head of the Biomedical Electronics Research Group (BERG) of the Department of Information and Communication Technologies (DTIC) at UPF principally aims to "develop very thin, flexible, injectable microstimulators to restore movement in paralysis", says Ivorra, principal investigator of the project.

7 Apr 2020

Compound in fruit peels can reduce and reverse neuronal damage in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis, characterized by increasing muscle weakness and paralysis, has a number of treatments that help stall progression of the disease when used early on in the disease.

6 Apr 2020

Information overload on COVID-19 leads people to pick out bizarre, unhelpful choices

That the COVID-19 situation has been accompanied by a relentless flood of information is evident from a quick examination of newspaper front pages, top stories on any news channel, or trending topics on Twitter.

1 Apr 2020

Spina bifida surgery before birth more effective at healing neurological structure

Surgery performed on a fetus in the womb to repair defects from spina bifida triggers the body's ability to restore normal brain structure, Mayo Clinic research discovered.

1 Apr 2020

Engineers innovate soft, flexible brain implant

A team have established a soft, flexible neural implant that can mold to the brain’s contours without damaging the tissue.

30 Mar 2020

Gene that could affect the progress of ALS discovered

Researchers from the Zuckerman Institute at Columbia University have successfully found a gene that could work towards accelerating the progression of ALS or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The study titled, "The loss of TBK1 kinase activity in motor neurons or in all cell types differentially impacts ALS disease progression in SOD1 mice," was published in the latest issue of the journal Neuron.

29 Mar 2020

Brain mapping shows motor regions for the hand may be connected to entire body

Neuroscientists have published findings which reveal that the motor region for the hand connects to the entire body.

27 Mar 2020

Scientists uncover key molecular mechanism underlying different aspects of sepsis

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that kills millions annually; it is poorly understood and has no specific treatment.

27 Mar 2020

FDA approves immune-modulating therapy for treatment of multiple sclerosis

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved ozanimod, an immune-modulating therapy invented at Scripps Research, for the treatment of adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.

26 Mar 2020

Researchers develop accurate and scalable method to record brain activity

A new method to accurately record brain activity at scale has been developed by researchers at the Crick, Stanford University and UCL.

20 Mar 2020

Engineered botox more effective

A new study reports on an engineered botulinum neurotoxin (botox) that is more effective as well as safer to use in various medical procedures. The study was published in March 2020 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology.

17 Mar 2020

New method could help facilitate transition of medical technology from lab to market

Advances in materials, microfabrication and medical imaging are accelerating the pace of innovation in implantable neuroprosthetics.

16 Mar 2020

Clinical trial evaluates effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation in patients with overactive bladder

Keck Medicine of USC urologists are launching a clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation in patients with an overactive bladder due to neurological conditions, such as a spinal cord injury or stroke, and idiopathic (unknown) causes.

10 Mar 2020

New route for total synthesis of tetrodotoxin

In Japan, puffer fish is considered a delicacy, but the tickle to the taste buds comes with a tickle to the nerves: fugu contains tetrodotoxin, a strong nerve toxin.

6 Mar 2020

Boosting energy levels within damaged nerve fibers may promote axonal regeneration

Each year, thousands of people in the United States experience a spinal cord injury, damaging the system of nerves that the brain and body use to communicate.

3 Mar 2020

Supplementing diet with amino acid delays signs of ALS in animal study

The addition of dietary L-serine, a naturally occurring amino acid necessary for formation of proteins and nerve cells, delayed signs of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in an animal study.

24 Feb 2020

New drug offers hope for preserving brain cells for a time after stroke

After 50 years of research and the testing of over 1,000 drugs, there is new hope for preserving brain cells for a time after stroke.

21 Feb 2020

Research sheds light on potential cause of Minamata mercury poisoning

One of the world's most horrific environmental disasters--the 1950 and 60s mercury poisoning in Minamata, Japan--may have been caused by a previously unstudied form of mercury discharged directly from a chemical factory, research by the University of Saskatchewan has found.

13 Feb 2020