Spinal Cord Stimulation for Paralysis

4:00-5:30 PM Saturday, Jan. 14

Recently there has been groundbreaking progress in using epidural spinal cord stimulation technology to restore walking in patients who have suffered from spinal cord injury-induced paralysis and paraplegia. In this session, we will review the basics of spinal cord locomotive circuitry, discuss the mechanisms of action of spinal cord stimulation on these circuits and explore the innovative progress that has been made in implanted patients.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:

  • Describe basic spinal cord locomotive circuitry and possible mechanisms of action of spinal cord stimulation to restore paralysis.
  • Discuss the development of spinal cord stimulation to restore function in paralyzed patients and review early clinical trials.
  • Describe the latest groundbreaking research in human patients undergoing spinal cord stimulation and understand novel programming parameters with the potential to achieve rapid restoration of function.

Spinal Cord Circuitry for Locomotion

Eiman Azim, PhD

The Development of Spinal Cord Stimulation to Restore Function After Paralysis

David Darrow, MD MPH

Spinal Cord Stimulation Implantation in Paralyzed Patients for Rapid Restoration of Motor Function

Ann Parr, MD PhD

Faculty subject to change.

Faculty:

Eiman Azim, PhD

David Darrow, MD MPH

Ann Parr, MD PhD

Moderators:

Sharona Ben-Haim, MD

Maxwell Boakye, MD MPH MBA