A drug free, minimally invasive new intervention method that can reverse the fundamental problem of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) - the gradual loss of neurological function. The team from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in the United States gradually activated motor neurons in the spinal cord that were originally functionally "silent" through electrical stimulation of the sensory spinal nerves, enhancing the leg muscle strength and walking ability of adult SMA patients. This study was published in the latest issue of the journal Nature Medicine. SMA is a genetic neurodegenerative disease characterized by the gradual death and functional decline of motor neurons, which are responsible for transmitting signals from the brain and spinal cord to muscles to control movement. Over time, the loss of motor neurons leads to gradual muscle weakness, causing various motor disorders such as difficulty walking. There is currently no cure for SMA, and in the past decade, some promising neuroprotective therapies have emerged, including gene replacement and drug therapy. These therapies can slow down but cannot reverse the progression of the disease. This preliminary clinical trial was conducted among three adult volunteers with SMA. The participants received a 29 day treatment, during which two spinal cord stimulation electrodes were implanted on both sides of the lower back, specifically targeting sensory nerve roots for stimulation. The team subsequently conducted multiple tests to evaluate indicators such as muscle strength and fatigue, gait changes, range of motion and walking distance, as well as the function of motor neurons. The results showed that after a month of routine nerve stimulation, all participants' 6-minute walking test scores improved by at least 20 meters, motor neuron function improved, fatigue decreased, and strength and walking ability were enhanced. Research has shown that people can design a neural technology to reverse the degeneration of neural circuits and restore cellular function. The team stated that as long as appropriate target cells are identified in future research, this neural stimulation method may be widely applied to treat other neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS or Huntington's disease. (New Society)