Revealed: Blue Lights Cause Walking Motor Activity

posted on Feb 05 by Stacy in the Disability News, Health, Paralysis Cures, Spinal Cord Injury category

Scientists have found that shining a blue light on the spinal cords or brain stems of mice makes them have activity in their brains that is similar to walking motor activity.
A genetically modified mouse that has special protein in its neurons that is sensitive to light was produced, and the scientists would shine the light both on the spinal cords and on the lower brain stem. Excitatory neurons that scientists believe are responsible for walking were activated when the blue light was on, which causes walking motion.
Professor Kiehn, the lead scientist in the study, was hopeful about the findings. He said, “This new mouse model will impact the way in which future studies examining the organization of neurons involved in walking are performed. We hope that our findings can provide insight that eventually will contribute to treatments for spinal cord injured patients”

More information at Science Daily