Key points from article :
In a first-in-human study, researchers elicited the sense of touch through a minimally-invasive electrode brain implant.
Potential to help millions of people who live with paralysis and neuropathy.
Stimulation of harder to reach areas of the brain using stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) electrodes can evoke sensory percepts in the fingertips.
Neurosurgeon, Ashesh Mehta, implanted SEEG electrodes in the sulci in 2 patients through a minimally invasive procedure.
While providing electrical stimulation, participants reported tingling or sensation of electricity localized to the hand and fingertips.
To research the brain’s response, electrodes used for stimulation were also used to record neural signals during stimulation of hand.
“These results show the ability to generate sensation, even after it is lost, which may lead us to a clinical option in the future,” - principal investigator, Chad Bouton.
Study by the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research published in Brain Stimulation.
