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Yuxin Liu, post-doc at Stanford University; and Seo Dae-gyo, a Ph.D. student at Seoul National University." />

The research team from left to right: Lee Tae-woo, professor at Seoul National University; Zhenan Bao, professor at Stanford University; Lee Yeong-jun, post-doc at Seoul National University; Yuxin Liu, post-doc at Stanford University; and Seo Dae-gyo, a Ph.D. student at Seoul National University.

A new study has been published detailing a process through which artificial nerves could provide new solutions to those experiencing diseases or disabilities caused by nerve damage such as spinal cord damage, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Parkinson’s.

“I think this study has provided a clue to a new breakthrough in overcoming nerve damage. This could open up new ways to improve the quality of life for those suffering from related diseases and disabilities,” said Lee Tae-woo, the Seoul National University professor who helped lead the joint research group behind the study.

Lee and Stanford University professor Zhenan Bao announced on Tuesday that they had succeeded in using a neuromorphic implant (an organic artificial nerve) to restore the muscle movements of mice that were paralyzed due to spinal cord injury.

The results of the study were published in the international scientific journal Nature Biomedical Engineering.

Nerves are essential for daily-life activities as they perform the function of transmitting vital signals from the brain to the body. When nerves are damaged, however, signals from the brain and body are not transmitted properly, resulting in permanent, partial or complete loss of bodily functions.

Once damaged, it is difficult to repair nerves through surgery or medication. As a result, this has made it difficult for people with nerve-related diseases or disabilities such as ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's) or paraplegia to find a permanent cure.

Although functional electrical stimulation therapy has been available for some time now, it requires significant and complex computational processes to effectively help individuals send and receive nerve signals. As a result, the method is not suitable for long-term use in the daily lives of patients.

Due to the limitations of existing methods, the joint SNU-Stanford University research team tried to find a different solution by using a stretchable neuromorphic implant that mimics the composition and function of real, living nerves.

According to the study, the neuromorphic implant acts as an artificial efferent nerve by generating electrophysiological signals from excitatory post-synaptic signals and by providing proprioceptive feedback. This is done through hydrogel electrodes and ion gel, connecting an artificial synapse and an artificial muscle spindle. This device also operates at low power and presents a much less complex computational process.

As a result of the experiment, mice paralyzed from the waist down due to spinal cord damage were able to have coordinated and smooth motion in their legs restored, enabling the animals to kick a ball, walk and run.

With the findings of this study, it seems possible to present new solutions and strategies for nerve damage in humans such as spinal cord injury, peripheral nerve damage, and neurological damage, the joint research team believes.

By Ko Byung-chan, staff reporter

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