Scientists from St Petersburg University create intelligent neuroprostheses
As part of an international research team, neurobiologists from St Petersburg University have developed and tested a biomimetic neurostimulation system capable of transmitting near-natural information to undamaged parts of the nervous system. The development has demonstrated its effectiveness in animal and patient trials.
Influencing the brain through stimulation of peripheral nerves is one of the most promising methods for neuroprosthetic limb replacement in patients with loss of motor function, amputation and paralysis due to an injury or a neurological disease. However, an international team of scientists, including specialists from St Petersburg University, recently found out that this approach does not always provide natural sensorimotor activity. According to the scientists from St Petersburg University, new methods of sensory stimulation that are close to natural ones should be explored to help patients recover more effectively. The research findings are published in the scholarly journal Nature.
The international team of researchers includes Professor Pavel Musienko, Head of the Laboratory of Neuroprosthetics at the Institute of Translational Biomedicine at St Petersburg University, and members of his research team. They have developed and tested a system of biomimetic neurostimulation that transmits information to the undamaged parts of the human nervous system in a way that closely mimics the natural system.
‘Based on a mathematical model of mechanoreceptors, i.e. the endings of nerve fibres that respond to mechanical action, we created biomimetic stimulation strategies that mimic the activity of different afferent classes that transmit impulses from the receptors to the brain or spinal cord,’ said Pavel Musienko, the author of the study, Head of the Laboratory of Neuroprosthetics at the Institute of Translational Biomedicine at St Petersburg University, Scientific Director of the area of study ‘Neurobiology’ at the Sirius University of Science and Technology, Head of the Neuromodulation Laboratory at the Pavlov Institute of Physiology of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
The study was conducted by St Petersburg University in collaboration with: the Sirius University of Science and Technology; the Pavlov Institute of Physiology at the Russian Academy of Sciences; Life Improvement by Future Technologies Centre "LIFT"; the National University of Science and Technology MISIS; and ETH Zurich.
The scientists experimentally evaluated the new paradigm in animal models, studying the somatosensory neural network by stimulating the nerve and recording reflex responses in the ganglia (spinal nodes) of the dorsal roots and spinal cord. This stimulation resulted in neural network activity, and this activity appeared to approximate natural normal activity in its spatial and temporal dynamics.
The new intelligent neurotechnological paradigm developed by the research team was implemented in a bionic device and tested on real patients, providing greater mobility and better coordination than traditional approaches.
St Petersburg University, the oldest university in Russia, was founded on 28 January (8 February) 1724. This is the day when Peter the Great issued a decree establishing the University and the Russian Academy of Sciences. Today, St Petersburg University is an internationally recognised centre for education, research and culture. In 2024, St Petersburg University will celebrate its 300th anniversary.
The plan of events during the celebration of the anniversary of the University was approved at the meeting of the Organising Committee for the celebration of St Petersburg University’s 300th anniversary. The meeting was chaired by Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation. Among the events are: the naming of a minor planet in honour of St Petersburg University; the issuance of bank cards with a special design; the creation of postage stamps dedicated to the history of the oldest university in Russia; and the branding of the aircraft of the Rossiya Airlines to name just a few.
By the decision of the Governor of St Petersburg Alexander Beglov, 2024 is a year of the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University in St Petersburg. On the day of the University’s 300th anniversary torches will be lit on the Rostral Columns on the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island. St Petersburg University flags will be raised on the Palace Bridge. The city public transport will be decorated with the University’s symbols. New tourist maps will feature the locations of the University buildings, with thematic and historical materials about the University placed nearby. During St Petersburg’s City Day celebrations in May 2024, St Petersburg University will be a participating venue. The traditional ‘Scarlet Sails Festival’ will also be dedicated to the anniversaries of St Petersburg University and the Russian Academy of Sciences. Additionally, the University has launched a website dedicated to the upcoming holiday. The website contains information about outstanding University staff, students, and alumni; scientific achievements; and details of preparations for the anniversary.