Paralyzed patient , 25 , said he is able to stand by himself , walk with assistance . Rob Summers received continual epidermal stimulation to the lower spinal cord . Electrical stimulation from a spinal cord implant , mimicking the signals the brain would normally transmit to move the body , has allowed a paralyzed patient to stand on his own and walk on a treadmill with assistance , researchers said Thursday . He was paralyzed from his neck down and could not move or speak for a year after receiving it. New treatment allows `` the spinal cord to control the muscles on its own '' Though not a cure , `` it 's something to build on , '' Dr. V. Reggie Edgerton says .
Paralyzed patient , 25 , said he is able to stand by himself , walk with assistance . Rob Summers received continual epidermal stimulation to the lower spinal cord . He was paralyzed from his neck down and could not move or speak for a year after receiving it. New treatment allows `` the spinal cord to control the muscles on its own '' Though not a cure , `` it 's something to build on , '' Dr. V. Reggie Edgerton says .