A patient in Switzerlandwho suffered from severe orthostatic hypotension due to neurodegenerative disease and was lying in bed for a year and a halfcould get up and yes walk again until 250 meters thanks to an electronic spine implant that reactivates nerves and reduces orthostatic hypotension.
The researchers, led by Associate Professor of Neurosurgery Jocelyn Bloch of the University and University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV) and Professor of Neuroscience Gregor Curtin of the Federal Academy of Sciences of the United Kingdom Journal of Medicine ».
The system includes an electrode implant, which is placed directly on the spine and reactivates the neurons that regulate blood pressure, thus preventing the patient from fainting and losing consciousness each time he stands up. The implant has already been used to treat hypotension in quadriplegics, but it is the first time it has been used in a patient with neurodegenerative disease, specifically atrophy of multiple Parkinson-type systems, which affects various parts of the nervous system, including the sympathetic nervous system.
This condition leads to the loss of sympathetic neurons that regulate blood pressure, with the result that the latter falls dramatically as soon as the patient stands up (severe orthostatic hypotension problem) and often faints. This condition makes it possible for him to fall and be injured, which inevitably limits his ability to stand and walk, resulting in a significant deterioration in his quality of life and ultimately a reduction in his life expectancy. Thanks to the implant, the patient showed a significant improvement in his ability to get out of bed and walk, which also allowed him to start physical therapy.
As Dr. Bloch stated, “We have already seen how this type of treatment can be applied to patients with spinal cord injuries. We can now explore applications for the treatment of problems arising from the neurodegeneration process. “This is the first time it has been possible to improve the regulation of blood pressure in people suffering from multiple atrophy of the Parkinson-type system.”
Dr. Curtin added that “this technology was originally intended for pain relief. But things have evolved and now we and our company, Onward Medical, plan to develop a system focused specifically on orthostatic hypotension, which will be able to help people around the world who suffer from this disorder.
See the scientific publication by clicking here.
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