"Brain-Spine Interface", Nerve Transfer Surgery, Cannabis and Peripheral Artery Disease Risk, More Reasons to Walk, Are You Using the Right Sunscreen?
Transforming commands into intentions with the "brain-spine interface" 🧠
Gist: A groundbreaking "brain-spine interface" has allowed a paralyzed man to walk again. Developed by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, the device bridges the brain and spinal cord, facilitating the control of movement.
Nitty-Gritty: Brain implants capture motion intentions, transmitting them to an external processing unit. This unit transforms the intentions into commands, which stimulate muscles via a second implant. The study, published in Nature, reveals successful results for participant Gert-Jan Oskam, paralyzed in a motorbike accident a decade ago. Oskam reports the ability to walk up to 100 meters and stand unaided, benefiting his daily life.
Big Picture: Unlike previous devices that required motion to trigger stimulation, this technology gives users full control. The swift establishment of neurological connections, along with the interface's reliability, indicates a promising future for the treatment of neurological motor disorders.
Original source: here.
Nerve transfer surgery at Montreal's Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital
Gist: Jeanne Carrière, a quadriplegic 27-year-old, has regained some use of her hands following a nerve transfer surgery at Montreal's Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital performed by Dr. Dominique Tremblay & Dr. Elie Boghossian.
Nitty-Gritty: The operation involved rerouting nerves that still functioned to those disconnected due to a spinal cord injury. This restored limited movement, such as pinching and grasping, significantly enhancing Carrière's independence. These surgeries have typically been performed for smaller injuries but are now being applied to spinal cord injuries, offering potential recovery of function and hope for patients. Post-surgery, rehabilitation requires around two years, involving regular exercises and therapy. The outcome, as Carrière affirms, is life-changing, allowing her to return to her work as a screenwriter.
Big Picture: Dr. Tremblay says she and Dr. Elie Boghossian have performed 14 nerve transfer surgeries on spinal cord patients. She says she'd like to see the practice continue to evolve in the years ahead. This is so promising!
Original source: here.
Caution with cannabis 😶🌫️
Gist: A recent study suggests that cannabis users, including younger adults, are at a higher risk of developing peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition characterized by plaque buildup in the arteries affecting blood flow to limbs.
Nitty-Gritty: Analyzing data from 2016-2019 of over 623,000 hospital patients identified as cannabis users, researchers found that marijuana users had over three times the risk of being diagnosed with PAD compared to the general population. Despite not showing increased mortality or need for procedures to unclog arteries, the link between cannabis use and PAD, especially among younger patients, is concerning.
Big Picture: While the study does not establish causation, other research has associated cannabis use with cardiovascular problems. Although, upon review of this study, it is not clear if the authors are referring to any form of cannabis (such as edibles vs. inhalation/smoking and so on). Experts recommend that cannabis users, particularly those at higher risk for PAD, use in moderation and that health care providers consider cannabis use as a potential PAD risk factor.
Original source: here.
Need more reasons to walk? Here's another. 🚶🏻♂️
Gist: Regular walking can enhance brain connections, potentially slowing the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, suggests research from the University of Maryland School of Public Health.
Nitty-Gritty: Published in the Journal for Alzheimer’s Disease Reports, the study examined older adults with normal brain function and those with mild cognitive impairment, often a precursor to Alzheimer's. Participants, aged between 71 and 85, walked on a treadmill four days a week for 12 weeks, after which significant improvements in story recall abilities were observed. Functional MRI scans also indicated stronger activity within and between three brain networks crucial for cognitive function: the default mode network, frontoparietal network, and salience network. The study adds to mounting evidence that exercise could prevent or stabilize mild cognitive impairment and delay Alzheimer's dementia progression.
Big Picture: It's no secret that walking is good, but if you wanted another reason– Here it is! ⬆️
Original source: here.
How to Choose a Sunscreen😎🧴
Sunscreen comes in many forms, each with its own impacts on your body and the environment. With so many options, how do you choose which sunscreen is best for you? This short video explains how sunscreens work and compares different application methods, SPFs, and active ingredients to help you make the best choice.
Lesson by Mary Poffenroth, animation by Rob Kohr and Travis Spangler.
Run time: 4min39sec.
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