Rehab in our own tongue...?

[ton]

Helius Medical Technologies Announces Positive Clinical Trial Results from its Multiple Sclerosis Pilot Study:

http://www.heliusmedical.com/press-rele ... ilot-study

The PoNS Device



While physicians and patients turn to available options to manage a host of neurological symptoms today, limited options actually help rehabilitate lost functions for the millions of people living with chronic disorders. The PoNS device is being studied as a new potential option for the treatment of chronic neurological symptoms of disease or trauma.

How It Works

This novel way to apply the concept of neuroplasticity to rehabilitation is the brainchild of scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Tactile Communication and Neurorehabilitation Laboratory (TCNL).

Scientific Theory: Amplifying the Brain’s Ability to Heal Itself
The PoNS device is based on almost 40 years of research in the field of neuromodulation—the use of external stimulation to intentionally change and regulate the electrochemical environment of the brain. It is believed that neuromodulation enhances neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to restructure or relearn in response to new experiences, sensory input, and functional demands. Research has shown that the process of neuroplasticity underlies all cerebral learning, training and rehabilitation.

In clinical studies, the PoNS device coupled with targeted functional therapy induces cranial nerve noninvasive neuromodulation (CN-NINM). Therapy consists of targeted physical, occupational and cognitive exercises, based on the patient’s deficits.



Research shows that electrical stimulation of the tongue stimulates two major cranial nerves: the trigeminal (the nerve responsible for sensations in the face, biting and chewing) and the facial (the nerve responsible for motor control of most of the muscles of facial expression). The electrical stimulation of the cranial nerves creates a flow of neural impulses that are then delivered directly into the brain stem—the main control center for many life functions, including sensory perception and movement. From the brain stem, these impulses travel throughout the brain and activate or reactivate neurons and structures involved in human function—the cortex, spinal cord and potentially the entire central nervous system.



Researchers believe that this sustained stimulation initiates a sequential cascade of changes in the actual interconnected nuclei, or the neuronal network, that are at the core of major anatomical components of the brain.

Based on this theory, it is believed that CN-NINM may be applied to improve a large variety of neurological symptoms. For more detailed information, download the PoNS fact sheet from the http://www.heliusmedical.com/newsroom/media-resources

[1eye]

I hate them forward-looking releases. This may be a good thing but they are looking to make a lot of bucks ASAP.

I still say: this is the same or similar to the device that is approved by the FDA, to be used by blind people to give them sight. There is no reason it could not be worn by MS patients with a suitable three-dimensional accelerometer, and used to improve vestigial balance. A similar device is described in Norman Doidge's "The Brain That Changes Itself".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Brain ... ges_Itself See section on Bach-y-Rita.

See also http://science.howstuffworks.com/brainport2.htm

[CureOrBust]

I hate them forward-looking releases. This may be a good thing but they are looking to make a lot of bucks ASAP.

Maybe the following link would be more to your liking..
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/ ... orm10k.htm

Business Uncertainties and Going Concern Risk
To date we have not generated any revenue from the sales of products or services. There are a number of conditions that we must satisfy before we will be able to generate revenue, including but not limited to successful completion of the design of the PoNS™ device, successful completion of the TBI and MS clinical studies, FDA and Health Canada clearance of the PoNS™ device for balance disorder associated with TBI and MS, respectively, manufacturing of a commercially-viable version of the PoNS™ device and demonstration of safety and effectiveness sufficient to generate commercial orders by customers for our product. In addition, given the importance of the U.S. Army to our early commercial plans, if the U.S. Army were to eventually decide not to purchase our product, we would need to replace those sales in the civilian market which will lower our early commercialization forecast. To date, we have not achieved any of these conditions, and the successful achievement of such conditions will require significant expenditures. Because we have not generated any revenues, we are significantly dependent on funding from outside investors. There is no guarantee that such funding will be available at all or in sufficient amounts to satisfy our required expenditures. Furthermore, even if we were able to raise sufficient capital to successfully design and manufacture a commercially-viable version of the PoNS™ device and to receive FDA and Health Canada clearance, we do not currently have any contract or other arrangement to sell the PoNS™ device. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will ever be able to generate any revenue from the sales of products or services.

Additionally, our auditors have issued a going concern opinion. This means that there is substantial doubt that we can continue as an on-going business for the next twelve months unless we obtain additional capital to pay our expenditures. While we are currently seeking additional funding, we do not currently have sufficient resources to accomplish any of the above conditions necessary for us to generate revenue.

They're going to need finds to simply keep functioning beyond 12 months. So ASAP would be about right.

[NHE]

I hate them forward-looking releases. This may be a good thing but they are looking to make a lot of bucks ASAP.

I still say: this is the same or similar to the device that is approved by the FDA, to be used by blind people to give them sight. There is no reason it could not be worn by MS patients with a suitable three-dimensional accelerometer, and used to improve vestigial balance. A similar device is described in Norman Doidge's "The Brain That Changes Itself".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Brain ... ges_Itself See section on Bach-y-Rita.

See also http://science.howstuffworks.com/brainport2.htm

I second the recommendation for this book and reviewed it in 2008.

http://www.thisisms.com/forum/reading-n ... tml#p35000

[1eye]

Watch to see how sensors can be used today to provide real-time position and acceleration information. The brain does a lot of this math automatically, and it may be as simple as providing two spatially separated sets of 3D accelerometer data, as anyone with two ears can do. The brain may do the rest.

Unfortunately Bach-y-Rita is deceased, and it may be very hard to figure out what was in that hat. The FDA failed the Brain-Port balance device, possibly because it didn't have enough of a training effect. The lack of training just means you would have to wear it all the time for it to work. It could be that the device was not smart enough, or that the evidence for it working was too rigorously determined, or subjects were not allowed enough time to train.

Neuroplasticity will have to wait, but I personally claim there is a crying need for such a device, with or without a training effect.

[NHE]

More about brain plasticity...

The People's Pharmacy recently interviewed Clark Elliot PhD, a professor of artificial intelligence and discusses his recovery from brain injury via brain plasticity.

What to Do About a Ghost in Your Brain
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2015/11/ ... our-brain/

Here's a direct link to the interview which will be freely available for about the next 4 weeks.
http://traffic.libsyn.com/peoplespharma ... 2Ghost.mp3

Here's a link to Clark Elliot's book.
http://www.amazon.com/Ghost-My-Brain-Co ... 525426566/