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Providence VA launches neurotechnology center

thumbnail Brain science breakthrough—In May 2012, a team with VA, Brown University, and other collaborators reported on their advances with BrainGate, a system that can potentially enable people with paralysis to control robotic arms or other devices. The work will continue, along with other cutting-edge research, at VA's new Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology. (Photo courtesy of BrainGate2.org)

thumbnail Uplifting research—The Lokomat, a robotic treadmill that has been shown to help in stroke recovery, will be among the technologies explored at VA's new Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology. Here, Veteran and VA staffer Doug Haldane (in harness) tests out the machine with the help of Doug Benedicto and Dr. Tara Patterson. (Photo by Frank Curran)

VA researchers and colleagues made headlines back in May 2012 when they demonstrated that people with total paralysis could control robotic arms using only their thoughts.

The same researchers are part of a new center of excellence dedicated last month at the Providence (R.I.) VA Medical Center.

The Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology will receive $900,000 per year for five years from VA. The mission is to develop and test new technologies to help Veterans and others with conditions affecting the brain and movement. Examples include spinal cord injury, stroke, ALS, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. The work will also potentially benefit those with limb loss, as well as those with mental health disorders such as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The center will join the efforts of VA, Brown University, Massachusetts General Hospital, and two other Providence-area health care providers: Butler Hospital, and Lifespan.

Researchers at the center will cover four main areas:

  • Brain-computer interfaces—These systems allow brain signals to be picked up by electrodes and fed to a computer, which turns them into commands for devices. A leading example is BrainGate, the system responsible for the news-making breakthrough mentioned above. The technology could enable people with paralysis to control an assistive device. It could also help people with limb loss move a prosthetic arm just by thinking about it.


  • Prosthetic limb evaluation—Researchers will study the technology and the social and psychological issues involved in amputation and prosthetics use. Some of the work will involve further evaluation of the DEKA arm, a high-tech prosthesis that was developed through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The arm has been tested at several VA sites.


  • Restoration of motor function—These studies will use robots and other technology to help restore mobility and movement to those affected by stroke, multiple sclerosis, or traumatic brain injury. One example of successful past research is a set of robots, developed at MIT and tested in a large VA clinical trial, that help move the affected limbs of people affected by stroke, as part of therapy. The researchers will also used motion sensors and advanced brain imaging to pinpoint the brain mechanisms that control movement.


  • Restoration of affective and cognitive function—Investigators will explore therapies that aim to fix faulty brain and neural circuits responsible for mood and cognitive problems such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The researchers will also address chronic pain. One of the approaches to be studied is a new form of transcranial magnetic stimulation. In TMS, a magnetic coil is applied to the brain to enhance function. The therapy is approved to treat major depression and is being investigated for possible use in other brain disorders.


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