Scientific Basis of Auriculotherapy: State of the Art.

Using a modern scientific basis, this article examines clinical findings and experimentally reproducible data that demonstrate reliably the objective reality of the auriculotherapy procedures initiated by Paul Nogier, MD, of Lyon, France. The aims of this review are to: (1) identify the Chinese acupoints and all relevant related subjects; (2) offer a critical analysis of different auricle cartographies or ear maps; and (3) evaluate evidence for auriculotherapy with respect to the constant progress of our knowledge of nervous-system organization. Acupuncture points have lower electrical impedance than nonacupoints.

[The BAB project (Big Artificial Brain)].

Recent advances in neuroscience allow us to envisage the creation of an artificial brain (BAB, for Big Artificial Brain) in order to reproduce cerebral functions without having to copy individual neurons, the complex properties of which are largely beyond our present technological capabilities. As in the human brain, we intend to combine inputs, a black box ("mentipulator") and expressive outputs. The ZISC and NeuroMem neuronal chips designed by Guy Paillet, Anne Ménendez and IBM have been used to built a BAB of 1 million transversally and vertically interconnected neurons with a parallel architecture, as in the human cerebral cortex.

Laparoscopic implantation of neural electrodes on pelvic nerves: an experimental study on the obturator nerve in a chronic minipig model.

Background: Laparoscopic exposure of pelvic nerves has opened a new area in the field of neuromodulation. However, electrode design and material deterioration remain issues that limit clinical application. The objective of this study was to evaluate experimentally the laparoscopic implantation of different types of neural electrodes in order to achieve functional and selective electrical stimulation of pelvic nerves.

An implantable neuroprosthesis for standing and walking in paraplegia: 5-year patient follow-up.

We present the results of a 5-year patient follow-up after implantation of an original neuroprosthesis. The system is able to stimulate both epimysial and neural electrodes in such a way that the complete flexor-extensor chain of the lower limb can be activated without using the withdrawal reflex. We demonstrate that standing and assisted walking are possible, and the results have remained stable for 5 years.