Robin Jonathan Demesmaeker
Neurological disorders such as spinal cord injury (SCI) massively reduce independence and quality of life. Most often, the majority of the nervous system is still fully or partially spared, but dysfunctional due to aberrant or absent descending input from the brain. Neuromodulation techniques restore function by artificially engaging these neuronal circuits. Given its central position and multi- functional role, the spinal cord provides an excellent gateway for such therapies.Epidural Electrical Stimulation (EES) of the spinal cord has been put forward as a potential therapy to restore motor and autonomic function after SCI. Throughout the last decade, our laboratory developed the concept of biomimetic EES. Spatiotemporal stimulation parameters are optimized to re-establish the natural dynamics of the underlying spinal circuitry. Strong evidence in rodent and non- human primate models suggests that biomimetic EES could promote locomotion and haemodynamic stability after severe SCI, leading to a push for rapid clinical translation of this potentially game-changing therapy. This clinical translation is the pivot of my thesis.The first part focuses on the recovery of leg motor control after SCI. The results of a first-in-human clinical trial in 9 participants with chronic SCI are presented. We developed a set of targeted neurotechnologies that include a new epidurally implanted electrode array, real-time communication and tailormade software systems that enable the precise delivery of biomimetic EES. We demon- strate that biomimetic EES can be optimized to immediately restore a vast number of leg motor functions such as walking and cycling, as well as trunk posture. Furthermore, after 5 months of intensive EES-enabled volitional training, participants did not only all improve their motor performance while using EES, they moreover regained volitional control over previously paralyzed muscles. This neuro- logical recovery correlated with a reduced metabolic activity in the spinal cord, suggesting spinal remodeling. A systematic pre-clinical approach identified a specific neuronal population mediating these effects.The second part of my thesis considers another critically important body function: haemodynamic management. Orthostatic hypo- tension is a major health issue after severe SCI and stems from a disconnection between the vasomotor regulatory centres in the brainstem and the sympathetic circuitry that adjusts peripheral vascular resistance. Preclinical work in rodents showed that EES ap- plied to the low-thoracic spinal cord could restore haemodynamic stability after SCI. On the path towards clinical translation, we implemented closed-loop control of EES in a non-human primate model of SCI to maintain haemodynamic stability during orthostatic challenge. I moreover present a case-study that demonstrates the transferability of thoracic EES to improve haemodynamic manage- ment in a patient with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). A marked reduction of orthostatic hypotension led to a clinically relevant decrease in fainting episodes and considerably improved quality of life.My thesis demonstrates the prosthetic and therapeutic effects of biomimetic EES and highlights its ability to immediately restore body functions and boost neurological recovery after SCI and in MSA. These results strengthen the belief that EES holds the potential to evolve into a relevant and efficient therapeutic intervention in a plentitude of neurological disorders.
EPFL2021
