Spinal implant allows Parkinson’s patient to walk again

A Swiss team implanted a complex system of electrodes called a ‘neuroprosthesis’ at crucial points along the spinal cord of French patient Marc (left). — AFP

LAUSANNE: A man with advanced Parkinson’s disease is now able to walk almost normally again thanks to electrodes implanted in his spinal cord, researchers said on Nov 6.

The medical first was achieved by Swiss researchers who had previously pioneered similar breakthroughs to help paraplegic people walk again.