Theoretical aspects of sensory substitution and of neurotransmission-related reorganization in spinal cord injury.
Spinal cord rehabilitation has progressed enormously since World War II, and persons with spinal cord injuries now have long life expectancies. Research has recently concentrated on improvement of the quality of life, and on neural mechanisms of recovery. This article will explore some aspects of both of these areas. In the first section, the potential applications of sensory substitution systems for such functions as sex sensation and sensation from feet and from robotic hands will be examined. In the second section, the potential role of nonsynaptic diffusion neurotransmission (NDN) in neural reorganization after spinal cord injury will be considered. This article includes portions of previous publications and reports.
Bach-y-Rita
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Center for Neuroscience, and Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA.
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000502:physiology*; D012371:Robotics; D012679:Sense Organs / Q000502:physiology*; D012682:Sensory Aids; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*
D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter