How brain chip could bring hope to those with paralysis
A chip implanted in the brains of patients who have suffered spinal cord injuries, stroke, motor neurone disease and muscular dystrophy will be tested to see if it can restore lost function under a new trial by Melbourne researchers.
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A chip implanted in the brain of people with severe paralysis will be tested in an extraordinary $1.4 million trial to see if it can help restore lost function.
The Herald Sun can reveal the University of Melbourne research is one of 10 new projects targeting neurological disorders to be bankrolled by $21.8 million from the Morrison Government on Thursday.
The implantable computer interface can be connected to digital devices to try and restore function lost by patients who have suffered spinal cord injuries, stroke, motor neurone disease and muscular dystrophy.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said the project was one of several offering “new hope for Australians suffering from debilitating neurological disorders.”
“This research could change lives. It could save lives,” he said.
Other research projects will probe new ways to support cognitive function for those with early Alzheimer’s disease, how to tackle fatigue in patients after a stroke, and options to reduce persistent pain after breast surgery.
Mr Hunt will announce the cash boost — from the government’s Medical Research Future Fund — at the University of Melbourne on Thursday.
He said neurological diseases now accounted for a third of all diseases after a 20 per cent increase between 2003 and 2015.
“Health and medical research is the single best way to advance health care,” Mr Hunt said.
“Our government is profoundly committed to backing our best and brightest health and medical researchers in finding new treatments for patients both in Australia and internationally.”
Mr Hunt said neurological diseases were a priority area for a 10-year, $614 million investment in clinical trials.
“These trials are vital to evaluating the effectiveness and safety of medicines, devices, services and interventions to help prevent, detect or treat illness and disease,” he said.
The Herald Sun revealed on Wednesday that the government had also committed $35.9 million to new research and clinicial trials targeted at rare cancers and other rare diseases.
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