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Treatment helps paralyzed rats walk

Combination of drugs, electrical stimulation and therapy restores lost connections

After weeks of training, rats learn how to walk, run and  climb stairs (shown) on formerly paralyzed hind legs. A robotic harness  supports and stabilizes the animal.

EPFL

By Laura Sanders

- More than 2 years ago

Scientists have trained paralyzed rats to walk, run and even climb stairs. Weeks of rigorous practice coupled with an electrochemical spine-stimulating regimen allowed the animals to overcome devastating spinal cord injuries that immobilized their rear legs, Swiss scientists report in the June 1 Science.