Spinal cord treatment awakens damaged nervous system
(NEWSER) - A young man paralyzed from the chest down after a car accident 5 years ago has become the first person with his condition ever to stand up. Rob Summers, 25, can stand, move his hips, and even take a few steps thanks to an experimental treatment that involves stimulation of the spinal cord with implanted electrodes, reports the Los Angeles Times . Summers has also regained some bladder and sexual function from the treatment, which researchers hope will one day be able to help up to 15% of people with spinal cord injuries. More»