This episode of NeuroCentury comes from Padova, Italy, where Paweł Świeboda spoke last week (XI.2023) to Prof. Paolo Bonato about his innovative approach to precision rehabilitation interventions in neurological patients. Prof. Bonato is Director of the Motion Analysis Laboratory at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston MA, and Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the Harvard Medical School.

Having studied biomechanics of human movement, Prof. Bonato has developed and tested robotics and wearable technology systems to retrain motor function in patients with mobility-limiting conditions, including cerebral palsy, stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and Parkinson’s Disease. The use of arm or leg exoskeletons is tailored to address individual mobility impairments. In treating traumatic brain injury patients, Prof. Bonato applies stimulation methods, together with motor training. The latter is delivered via a robotic system with virtual reality modules.

The conversation covers ongoing projects in Prof. Bonato’s lab, including combining home robots with wireless body and ambient sensor networks to detect falls at home. Wireless wearable sensor systems are also used to monitor fluctuations in patients with Parkinson’s Disease Algorithms developed on this basis can predict clinical scores. Towards the end of the discussion, Prof. Bonato shares his reflection about the way to combine neuroscience insights with advancements in bioengineering, to ensure that greater understanding of the mechanisms of motor control can translate into more effective interventions.

#neurocentury #bioeninnering # neuroscience #brainhealth #neurologycare

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Music for the NeuroCentury podcast is composed by Rafał Kulczycki