Rehabilitation in Movement Disorders OpenLab

Traumatic injuries of the nervous system are one of the main reasons for chronic impairment and mortality. Spinal cord injuries affect mostly young adult males, causing chronic impairment and profound socio-economical effect.

Our research efforts are focused on investigating traumatic spinal cord and brain injuries and on targeting the basic mechanisms of motor control.

Activation of 'central pattern generator' networks in the spinal cord, as it was found earlier, can produce rhythmic coordinated movements even after functionally complete spinal cord injury and improve function of spared connections. Ability to reactivate damaged components of neuronal networks requires multidisciplinary     approaches and in our research we focus on identification   of spinal cord structures responsible for pattern generation   in order to find the most effective ways to activate spinal       networks with electrical stimulation, pharmacology, and       peripheral stimulation, to promote neuroplasticity and      synaptic connectivity.

 Our methods combine animal experiments, clinical  studies, engineering, biomechanics and biochemical  techniques. Members of our team combine critical expertise in biological science, bioengineering, and medical research.