Mind over matter: monkey think, monkey do.

(From Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Byline: Massie K. Santos

(Conclusion)

FOR DECADES, researchers have worked on helping the paralyzed regain the use of their nonfunctioning limbs.

In recent years, thanks largely to Christopher Reeve's efforts, media attention has been focused on stem cell research and the hope that it will, among other things, one day be used in humans to regenerate the damaged nerves that act as the middlemen between brain and limb. (Stem cell researchers predicted this week that human clinical trials will be under way in the next five years.)

Last week's look at the work done at Northwestern University, as well as the joint efforts of the University of Southampton and the Alfred Mann Foundation makes it clear that there are other ways of restoring that severed connection.

Controlling one's limbs