Research Contract n° HPRN-CT-2000-00030 has been awarded by the Commission of the European Union in the frame of the TMR program (Fifth framework Programme) for the Research Training Networks "NeuralPRO : Neural Prostheses". The four-year neuralPRO project started on October 2000.
Damage to the central nervous system, arising from trauma or disease, frequently results in serious disability. In particular, dysfunction of the motor system can mean a loss of continence and mobility, with a devastating impact on the individual's quality of life. Such conditions affect large numbers of patients, of all ages, and represent a tragic loss of human potential as well as a severe economic burden on health care and support services. The proposed research was designed to improve continence and mobility in this population through major advances in neural prosthesis technology. The aim was to offer physical and psychological benefits for this large patient group, resulting in greater independence and less frequent hospitalization.
The specific objectives of the neuralPRO project were:
1. to work together to advance the basic knowledge and strategies underlying neural prosthesis technology in the areas of sensing, control and stimulation
2. to focus the expertise of the participating groups on three highly innovative systems for improved continence and mobility: a continent stoma; a spinal root stimulation system for bladder control and mobility in complete paraplegic patients; and a completely implantable drop-foot stimulation system for patients with incomplete paralysis.
The work has been carried out by a multidisciplinary network of expert technological and physiological research groups, hospitals and companies across Europe whose work in the field of neural prostheses is internationally recognised. This network provided the ideal context in which to train young researchers in the associated disciplines.
This Functional Neuromuscular Stimulations (FNS) project is linked to other previous research activities in the lab such as : the F.R.S.M. Grant N° 3.4590.02, the OPTIVIP and the SENS projects.
Last update: March 22th, 2007.
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