Brain control of a helping hand

摘要

Strokes, spinal-cord injuries and degenerative neuromuscular disease all cause damage that can severely compromise the ability of patients to use their muscles. The loss of mobility and independence that results from such motor deficits takes a devastating toll on their quality of life. Medical research is striving on many fronts to reverse the disease or injury state of such patients. Meanwhile, other approaches are needed to enhance their quality of life. Research described by Velliste et aV, published on page 1098 of this issue, provides a heartening example of what, in due course, may be possible~*.