After restoring the ability to speak to patients living with ALS, Stanford School of Medicine is addressing the difficulties faced by those who have suffered brain injuries using a brain implant.
See also: Paralyzed man walks again thanks to implant that connects brain to spinal cord
The simple things we take for granted are precious gifts for Modesto resident Gina Arata. Skills like walking, putting on your shoes or buttoning your pants were impossible for Arata.
A car accident in 2001 left Arata with lung problems and sprains and burns to her brain – she was in a coma for 14 days. When she woke up, the law school student could no longer understand books or even hold normal conversations. Arata admitted that even if someone told her something about a topic, she would forget it after a while and ask the same thing again.
In 2018, Arata had the opportunity to correct the problems she was facing through Stanford School of Medicine. A groundbreaking procedure that would be performed surgically, by placing a device deep in her brain to stimulate and activate the neural networks that had been damaged by the car accident.
See also: Spinal implant gives hope to paralyzed people
Dr. Jaimie Henderson reported that brain functions can become impaired after injury, and this brain implant restored the regulation of these functions for Arata.
“When we turned on the amplifier, the results were really impressive,” Henderson said. “He went from not being able to read a single novel or book, to now he’s actually reading and remembering.”
“I couldn’t maintain a relationship, I couldn’t have children and become a mother,” Arata said. “And I think this device gives me a chance to have them.”
More than 5 million Americans live with the effects of severe brain injuries, and Arata hopes that her willingness to be the first patient to try this new procedure can help others in the future.
See also: Brain implant partially restores movement to quadriplegic man
“I hope I can empower other people who suffer from injuries so they can have families, enjoy relationships, find jobs and drive their own cars,” Arata said.
Source: abc7news
