Paralysed patients may get revolutionary treatment after rats with severed spinal cords taught to sprint again after …

By Tamara Cohen

PUBLISHED: 13:14 EST, 31 May 2012 | UPDATED: 06:18 EST, 1 June 2012

Paralysed patients have been given fresh hope after scientists enabled rats with severed spines to run again.

Using a cocktail of drugs and electrical impulses, researchers regrew nerves linking the spinal cord to the brain.

After two weeks, the animals were not only able to walk, but climb stairs and run.

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Climbing the steps: Researchers at EPFL have successfully used electrochemical stimulation to restore voluntary movement following a paralysing spinal cord injury

After only a few weeks of stimulation, nerve connections begin to grow again - and this could be of huge significance for the 50,000 sufferers

Professor Gregoire Courtine said the study revealed the body could recover from some injuries previously thought to cause permanent paralysis.

His team, based in Switzerland, believe human trials could begin next year for patients with spinal injuries thanks to a 7million grant.

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Paralysed patients may get revolutionary treatment after rats with severed spinal cords taught to sprint again after ...