Computer chip may help stroke victims recover

Computer chip may help stroke victims recover

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Story Published: Dec 22, 2006 at 6:50 PM PDT

Story Updated: Dec 22, 2006 at 7:25 PM PDT

By Mike Dardis

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University of Washington researchers have developed a brain patch that may help brains heal from some injuries, especially stroke victims struggling with muscle control.

Dr. Eb Fetz said research in monkeys has shown just what the chip can accomplish. The tests so far indicate the chip can repair loss of motor function.

"It basically produces an artificial connection between one part of the brain and the other," he said. "We can determine where the brain damage is for sure. And the chip could be used to connect working parts of the brain to working parts of the arm."

Dr. Fetz said the chip appears to strengthen areas in the part of the brain that controls movement, and researchers say it may also create new connections in the brain.

How long before it may be implanted in humans? Researchers figure five to six years.

Researchers don't yet know whether the chip can help with the more complicated task of restoring speech.

Their next challenge is to make the chip much smaller, then make sure it's safe to implant in humans.

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