Research to establish whether future spinal-cord injuries can be treated by an electronic device implanted shortly after an injury is sustained is to start at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, writes Padraig O'Morain.
The research, which is at an early stage, will initially involve six patients who have been paralysed within the previous six weeks.
Recently injured patients would be the ones to benefit from the device if it proves successful, according to a consultant neurosurgeon, Mr Ciaran Bolger.