Brain Implant Restores Touch in Quadriplegic Patient — SkimNews
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- Keith Thomas suffered a diving accident in 2020 that damaged his spinal cord, leaving him with virtually no ability to move or feel his limbs below his neck.
- Thomas received an experimental brain implant in 2023 as part of a clinical study, the device simultaneously zapping his brain and spinal cord with tiny pulses of electricity.
- With the device active, Thomas regained the ability to lift his arms and shoulders and feel physical touch — a recovery of both motor and sensory function.
- Thomas used the restored sensation to stroke and feel the fur of his dog, Bow, a Malshipoo, whose affectionate nuzzles he could not previously detect.
- Thomas's family acquired Bow right around the time he received the implant in 2023, making the dog a daily presence during his recovery.
Why it matters: The simultaneous recovery of both movement and sensation in a single quadriplegic patient — not just motor function — is the notable result here, and the source frames the brain-and-spinal-cord stimulation approach as life-changing for Thomas. Because the article is a STAT+ exclusive, broader trial data, patient counts, and timeline to availability are not disclosed in the accessible text.
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