Wired Science

My mom suffers from minears disease, which has affected her balance. How can I learn more about re-training her brain's balance mechanism as shown on this feature. Is it really possible to help her? It has been over 5 years that she is suffering and no doctors have been able to help.

I wonder if there would be a non invasive method to rewire the brain for individuals with anxiety disorders similar to the brain port concept.

I wonder if there would be a non invasive method to rewire the brain for individuals with anxiety disorders similar to the brain port concept.

My 13 year old son has been blind since birth. We caught your segment on PBS in NYC and as my son is a math and science whiz we are interested in knowing how we might be in touch with the scientists developing the BrainPort. This is truly amazing stuff!http://www.pbs.org/kcet/wiredscience/images/submit.gif

I need to know more about the device that retrains the brain for balance. My son had a brain tumor ( posterior fossa) 9 yrs ago and suffers with ataxia, it has put many limitations in his life and I would do anything to improve his physical disability. Please tell me this could help us and how to participate

I have had a directly related idea for many years. How can I contact the researchers directly?

I have a friend that suffered a TIA and as a result has almost completely lost his sense of balance. This technology looks promising. How can I get more information?

This is amazing! My brother, born prematurely in 1959, has been blind since birth. He was diagnosed with RLF. How do I find out if this could help him?

I would like to know more about the device on the tongue
that retrains the brain for balance. My sister had a small stroke last year, and her balance has been very poor
since with little help from her doctors. We were very hopeful that this device could help her, and wondered who to call or how to participate in this program.

Thank you,
Jennifer

Please offer more info on brain retraining for balance. I have MS, with balance as being one of my affected areas. Has anyone considered retraining the brain to send signals to the limbs through alternate routes not disrupted by disease?

in the future could brain retraining be used with people with autism?

I'm 17 and last summer I had a skateboarding wreck and had a TBI. I lost my sense of smell and I was wondering if there's any research done on that sense.

I HAVE MS AND CANNOT BALANCE WELL ENOUGH TO WALK ON MY OWN. I HAD TO GIVE UP DRIVING (WHICH I REALLY ENJOYED) AND A LOT OF OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE REALLY COMPROMISED MY LIFE. IS THERE MORE INFO. AVAILABLE? A POSSIBLE TIME FRAME ON AVAILABILITY OF THE BRAIN RETRAINING DEVICE?

I have meniere's which affects my hearing and balance. Would your tongue device be helpful for my condition?

I too suffer from daily vertigo and have an especially difficult time in the dark with my balance. How can I find out more about the procedure? Who would I write or call. Thank you.

The program was facinating. I have balance problems with no help. I do exercises to attempt to strengthen the balance system with little improvement. I would like to know more about the head gear used on the show.

I have an intuition that one could use a variation of the Brainport device to remap the brain to make up for impaired memory function resulting from brain trauma, dementia, or just plain aging. Does anyone else have a thought, feeling or intuition about this?

These past 2 years I developed a "balance problem". Two MRI's have shown I have nothing wrong. Sometimes I cannot get out of a chair without 3 or more attempts. I shuffle my feet at times when walking. Tomorrow I have an Annual check-up scheduled with my doctor. I will share with him I watched Wired Science today on PBS and learned about the "BrainPort" possibly rewiring the Brain. Thank you for featuring this on PBS. Chuck Dowell

My brother is 11 and he is legally blind in his right eye (retina detachment and in his left eye he has high myopia, -21)since he was little and no doctor could help him I was wondering if this could help him. where could I get more information on this? also where is the research center so maybe I could go there immediately to ask? Also is this in California?? I thought it was interesting so I hope to get an answer soon.

Thank's

My son has Aspersers syndrome, I wonder if this research might help people like him to utilize a different parts of the brain to connect the gaps?

For myself as well, I have had difficulties since having spinal meningitis several years ago. Any information on this would be greatly appreciated!!

My son has Aspersers syndrome, I wonder if this research might help people like him to utilize a different parts of the brain to connect the gaps?

For myself as well, I have had difficulties since having spinal meningitis several years ago. Any information on this would be greatly appreciated!!

AWESOME SEGMENT
AWESOME SHOW
Everytime I watch your show I learn something new and amazing! Keep up the great work.
I was wondering if the technology could be used on someone that HADN'T lost their balance, to improve their existing balance. For gymnasts and martial artists.
I was also wondering, I saw a show recently, I think on PBS, where a young man who was blind, clapped his hands while walking and was able to interpret the sonar echoes to "see".
Well, good luck to all you people asking about the technology to assist with your difficulties. Science is a wonderful tool that makes our lives easier in so many ways.
Peace.

My wife has a balance problem and nothing medical has helped. As an electrical engineer I can appreciate what was done and think it very clever. How can we get touch with the team which designed the equipment so we can try it to reduce my wife's balance problem?

I had a brain operation that destroyed some nerves, lost one side of hearing, and have a balance problem. Could I get some info on the balancing sensory system, how I can communicate with the personnel responsible for the innovation? E-mail, or phone no., or address! Thanks

Sorry I got the e-mail address wrong!

My son has damaged inner ear nerves, which has caused balance problems. He has been told there is no solution. I would love to pass the information on to him about the head gear used in the show. Amazing. Thank you.

Anyome interested in the balance applications should go here
http://www.wicab.us/

My 14 year old daughter was diagnosed as autistic at 5 years. Also tactile. She has been in school since 16 months and has gradually advanced to feeding herself, going to the bathroom particially putting her socks and jeans on. She doesn't speak words but if she wants something to drink she will bring me a cup. She has her mood swings and is anxious to fit in. She seems to be trying to break free. I know that this science will help her because what I thought that she would never do she is proving me wrong. Please e-mail me so that she can be free.

My husband suffered a vertebral artery dissection in September and has double vision and balance issues (he is dizzy all the time). How can we learn more?

I have a friend who has had severe problems with balance, to the point of interfering with everyday activity, including work. How can I get more information for him? Is treatment with this device available to the general public?

My friend had an stroke. He had to walk with a cane. Is there anyway BrianPort can help? Please E-mail me for the contact. Thanks.

My mom, 72 years old, also suffers from severe balance issues after a brain hemorrhage 5-6 years ago as a result she has constant verdigo. I saw your program on PBS "Wired Science" last night of a woman with a similar issue and how this device helped her regain her balance. Please send me information on how I can seek such treatment for my mom. Thank you.
Mike in Wisconsin

My wife suffers vertigo attacks periodically from a viral ear infection see acquired 19 yrs ago, the attacks are shorter but none the less a real problem, she can not function as an individual when these attacks occur.
Could you please send info about how this women on your program was cured over time using the tongue device and would be very grateful for your help.
Thank-You and Happy Holidays.

(a great program, keep it up!)

I saw the Wired Science episode last night regarding sensory adaptations. After reading all the other comments, I am struck with how many people would benefit from this technology. I feel the same! I have 4 generations of blind people in my family; my father (89), my sister(47), her daughter (28), and her daughter (5). Who would I start with? Sticklers Syndrome is the genetic culprit. Like everyone else, where do I get in touch with these people?

I SUFFERED A STROKE IN OCTOBER 07 AND AM REGAINING USE OF MY LEFT LEG AND ARM. I ALSO HAVE A LEFT FIELD CUT IN MY VISION. I WONDER IF ANY OF THIS WORK WITH VISION AND BALANCE COULD BE USED TO HELP SOMEONE IN MY CONDITION. HAS THERE BEEN ANY RESEARCH DONE ON THIS? ALSO COULD I GET IN TOUCH WITH PEOPLE WORKING ON THIS EQUIPMENT? THANKS VERY MUCH.

I am interested in finding out more about rewiring the brain for balance etc. Could this technology help a person with brain impairment learn to balance and walk?

As a physical therapist who treats balance disorders, including those emanating from the vestibular system, I am very interested in hearing any stories that would shed light on who might be using this technology presently in a medical setting. http://www.wicab.us/ is an excellent website resource. Under the clinical trials tab, there appears to be some rehabilitation institutes performing clinical trials using stroke patients. However, I have not heard of this technology being used in a clinical practice setting --- not YET. If it proves efficacious in clinical trials, it no doubt will be something we will be hearing more about.

Watched your special on Seeing via the tongue and was totally facinated by it and would like to refer you to Oprah's show where she had a guest on that I believe was from Africa that was blind but by clicking with his tongue he could see. This segment too was facinating to me. When he was walking, he just kept clicking his tongue to "see". Hope you will check into this.

Watched your segment regarding seeing with your tongue and found it facinating. I am wondering if you by any chance saw "Oprah's" segment on a guest that was blind but could "see" by clicking his tongue? He would walk and click his tongue and was able to see and I believe is attending a University. Would you check it out as I was so excited about this when I was watching Wired Science? Thank you. JT

WHERE CAN I FIND THE DEVICE THAT CAN HELP ME REGAIN MY SENSE OF BALANCE WHICH WAS DAMAGED BY I.V. ANTIBIOTIC THERAPY?

Hello, my name is Victor Flores. I am from Pasco Wa, 99301
My fiance and I saw last nights segment on rewiring the brain. My fiance suffers from a loss of balance and hearing loss in one ear due to a auto accident. We have been to every hearing & balance doctor in the state of
Washington. everyone tells us the same story,they can't do anything about it. Your segment was like a "DREAM COME TRUE". She is a high school teacher and has had several vertigo episodes at school, she's even fallen down a couple of times, she walks in and out of the ailes, it is kinda difficult to do with a cane. This has put a great strain on her and our family, she feels helpless, especialy when our daughter wants her to go outside to run and play. If there is any information you can send us, it would greatly be appreciated. Victor Flores - 804 43rd Way, Pasco WA 99301 - 509-542-8789

i have a daughter with quad,spastic, c.p that is not the problem. she also has siezures that are not being controlled by meds anymore this condicion can be fatal how close are you to a treatment for this ?

My sister has the same problem the lady had with the antibiotic. Is there any way she could receive the same therapy?

Would this terchnology be suitable for acquired ataxia? I had a brain aneurysm l2 years ago and have been in a wheelchair since then. I would
be happy to paricipate in 2nd stage trials

I have lost my sense of smell and taste due to a viral infection.Any studies on some way to get smell and taste back or rewired?

Thank You

I developed meniere's disease in my thirties due to an illness that affected my balance nerves. I have learned to compensate this loss by relying on visual cues and have not had any difficulty living an active life. I was able to continue whitewater canoeing, biking, skiing, etc, all which require good balance. Unfortunately, my ability to rely on visual cues disappears in the dark. I stagger and reel like a sailor on shore leave. I just turned 70 and would like to get some information that might help me keep my balance in the dark. Can you refer me to any publications that are pertinent to my situation. Thanks

www.wicab.com is the makers of the brain port.
If you would like to use the device they can hook you up to some folks in Canada since the FDA has not approved it here in the USA so far. Perhaps next year it will be through the FDA trials and be available in the USA.

My mother has parkinson's since she was 38years old, now she is 70. She is on a wheelchair and cannot move. If this device worked with the inbalance problem it might work with people who has parkinson's to control the involuntary movement.

Where can more information be found about help described on this program re: balancing problems. WHo is the MD and how can we get in contact w/ him??? Thanks for info.

Thanks for producing the segment on vestibular prosthesis. That's an interesting device. I've heard of these, but this is the first time I saw, or read anything about one. Vestibular disorders are misunderstood and outside the scope of Ear Nose & Throat (ENT) Doctors realm. There are very few Otoneurologist, or neurotologistss to provide treatment and even within the specialty little seems to be known about this complex system. I think the only hope I have for relief of my vestibular dysfunction will come through stem cell treatment. Would you please present a segment regarding vestibular stem cell research?

I would like to get more information on this. 3 yrs ago
a virus killed my inner ear ballance sensors in my left ear which I should have compensated from this but they say I have Ocular Vertigo "shopping cart syndrome" also. The treatment for this did not work and therapy has not helped. All it takes is one wrong look or head movement and I'm thrown into very heavy vertigo. They say my eyes are not comunicating with the brain like they should and that I had this all my life but the ear virus made it come forward and is preventig me from getting my life back. I was wondering if this could help me.

My wife was diagnosed with MS in 1984. She has an incredibly strong attitude and a will to control the disease. She is also very strtong physically. Her leg strength as told by her physician is strong but her balance is almost no exisitent. I would like very much to see if I could get her into a trial using the brain port.Please let me know if it is available and where. Thanking you in advance.
Bob Schrier

To all who saw this wonderful segment and are wondering about how to connect, please know that there are strong connections between Paul Bach-y-Rita's wonderful work and that of a similarly inspired genius named Moshe Feldenkrais. Feldenkrais used the same insights into brain-plasticity that informed Bach-y-Rita; indeed, I believe they knew of each other's work.

Feldenkrais found a way to use slow and gentle movement, without any technology other than the same brain-capacity to orient ourselves that we all deployed as infants, before we had language. We still have that capacity now, no matter what limitations we currently face (up to a point).

There are many many practitioners of the FELDENKRAIS METHOD worldwide and here in the States. Indeed,
Bach-y-Rita's (I think ex-)wife Eileen Bach-y-Rita is now a FELDENKRAIS practitioner in Los Angeles.

Check out www.feldenkrais.com to find a practitioner near you.

I myself am a practitioner who's had some experience with great results with a person who suffered peripheral neuropathy from Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and with myself who has suffered and recovered from a serious back injury.

My wish for all is that we all find ways to use our magnificent brains, which, with very little encouragement, KNOW HOW TO FIND A WAY!

Best, Anita Schnee

As an alternative to tactile displays one may also consider auditory displays such as The vOICe and next decide what works best,

http://www.seeingwithsound.com

I have a friend who forty years ago was a girl scout and on a field trip fell off a clif fifty feet to the rocks below. She broke her neck and back and a couple years later lost her sense of balance. Doctor said that part of the brain died. She has been wheel chair bound ssince then but exorcises her legs daily and can pull herself up and stand holding on to things. She wobbles but has the strength to stand. She can use her hands but slowly because she moves awakwardly. Is there a way for her to use something like the hat for rewiring her brain? Thank You Charles Bley

I can see where this device can be used for law enforcement. You could couple this with a camera that can see body heat and detect people hiding behind doors and walls. Thus, helping to protect the police officer and bring criminals to justice.

My father is having a lot of trouble with balance. They do not have a firm diagnosis for his problems, but supranuclear palsy has been mentioned. Anything that would help his balance would make his care easier. Please send any information that might help us find out more about this process. Thank you

I have severe speech impediment. I can sing OK, however when a I have to talk I feel tightnes in my brain, feels like a "short circuit" and experience tightnes in my throath, vocal cords seem to lock. Over years I had speech therapy, hypnotherapy, accupuncture, etc without results. I am hoping my brain can be stimulated thru the toung and help with my speech problem. I will be willing to participate in your experiment, hopefully help me and thousands of people with steech problems... Have a great Holiday and wish you GOOD KARMA in 2008!!! Hope to hear from you with positve news. Olek

I will be contacting the suggested website and hope and pray that I can get a brainport. I was damaged by gentamycin 8 years ago. It destroyed my life as I knew it. Thank you for this show.

My mother-in-law and four of her siblings suffer from a balance problem that, as far as we are concerned, has not been sufficiently diagnosed. She is now house-bound and uses a walker in her home to get around. Two of her siblings have had to quit work. After watching your program, my husband felt hope that there may be some treatment for his mother. Can you please send us information about this device and research. We want to share this information with her siblings who suffer from the same condition.

Thank you

I am amazed and encouraged by your program about re-writing the brain. Please up keep the great reporting on neuroplasticity in all its various applications-it's helpful to all of us.

MY HUSBAND AGE 51 WENT BLIND 4 MONTHS AGO FROM A MOTOR CYCLE ACCIDENT. HE WENT BLIND FOR THE LACK OF BLOOD TO THE OPTIC NERVE. IS THERE ANY CHANCE THAT THIS
COULD HELP HIM SEE AGAIN? OR ANY OTHER HELP YOU KNOW OF FOR HIM?

My sister was born prematurely, she is totally blind, her condition is Retinopathy. How can we gain additional information on the BrainPort device specifically for aiding in vison? Is its develpment near completion? How can we participate in clinical tests? This is the first glimmer of hope for the visually impared. Any information you can supply would be greatfully appreciated.

our daughter and granddaughter have optic nerve atrophy could we get some more information on seeing by rewireing the brain.Thankyou for a great programe. Michael

Seems like fate.....I saw the show a week or so ago and on Thursday a very good friend, only 39 yrs old had a stroke and is now suffering from a vertigo type condition. He's still in the hosp, but soon being moved to a re-hab facility. I'm e-mailing his wife the link to this page and hope for the best. Any other info appreciated.

My 55 yr. old husband has been diagnosed with viral labyrinthitis and a neuro ENT performed a (water) balance test which shows a 73% permanent (balance) loss. He is currently undergoing therapy for compensation skills with not much success. Please email us with any further information.

I am 57 years old and have a rare form of motion sickness, called MDDS Syndrome, which resulted from travelling on a boat in Venice, over two years ago. My vestibular system has never readjusted to being on land versus being on a boat. I continually feel a rocking sensation. Nothing has helped so far. Please email me with any helpful information. I don't want to have this condition for the rest of my life. Thanks!

I have had a balance problem for several years. I will soon be 70 and tests showed damaged vestibular were preventing signals from my ears from reaching my central nervous system in my brain. Would your device be of any use to me in restoring my balance.

I just caught a couple of minutes of this program and am thrilled. Neuroscience is undergoing a new paradigm. The concepts of neurogenesis (regeneration through the life cycle of neurons or brain cells) and neuroplasticity (the ability of the brain to establish new pathways for functional outcome, sort of like taking side roads instead of the well-traveled interstate to a destination) are revolutionizing how we approach treatment for many conditions. A wonderful readable new book that discusses this is "The Brain That Changes Itself" by Norman Doidge, MD.

i have a son with severe balance problem due to a virus. i would like any info on who to contact about getting help. i would be willing to travel wherever i need to. please send me any info. thanks!!!!!

About 4 years ago I was taken to the emergency room for a sever viral infection. I was in the hospital in intensive care for 10 days. When I was released from the hospital the sent me home with some medecine that destroyed my balance. Life has been very difficult for me. How can I get more information on this procedure.

I have tinnitus,for the last four years ,I had an MRI It showed and old injury to the eighth cranial nerve,auditory nerve,also have sensitivity to high pithed sounds.Could I get more information on thus procedure?

My wife's uncle is blind he lost his sight gradually from an eye disease about 10 years ago; he has the time and money to try your product, if you would be willing to help him. He's a real good guy and would like to try to see again. Can you tell me what I need to do to help him? His name is John Hayes. He said he would be willing to go where ever he needs to.
My phone # is 979-964-3260
His phone # is 830-796-4153

Thank you,
Michael Vincent
vincentm@brazoriainet.com

I have severe balance loss from a stroke in 2001. Do I qualify for a experiment to improve my balance? Steve

For those of you looking for more information on this I'd suggest contacting the University of Wisconsin - Madison where the research and treatments originated with the late Paul Bach-y-Rita. From what was said in the clip above it appears that they are continuing the research and treatments there.

Best of luck to you and your loved ones.

Oh, wait, it looks like there plenty of contact info right under our noses.

Again best of luck to those of you who are suffering or have loved ones who are.

"Patients with balance or vision impairments (or their health care providers) should contact Wicab, Inc at wicab.com or 608.263.9359

Patients with other health inquiries should watch Kurt Kaczmarek's web site for further information on possible participation in research studies. Please note, they are NOT presently collecting names for research studies and cannot offer any kind of treatment. They cannot accept unsolicited health histories and will delete them if received.

The University of Wisconsin Foundation has set up a fund to accept donations to support work at the Tactile Communication & Neuromodulation Lab (TCNL). Click HERE to learn more about funding opportunities.

For Scientific questions, please contact the following:

Yuri Danilov at ydanilov@wisc.edu or 608.263.9359"

I have a daughter that is 10, she has been blind since she was 3 weeks old. I am truely amazed with what I saw and I would love to be able to have my daughter try this product. She wants to see, even if it is just a shape or the difference in light and dark. truely amazing.....Thanks!!

Where can this device be purchased and what is approx. cost? Is there any special instructions or special requirements for the patient who is going to use this device, i.e., can a person with a Pacemaker use this device?? Are there different power-voltage levels- associated with different degrees of imbalance? What is the criteria for using this device???

C.L. H. 417-249-0050

For 25 years I have suffered with constant head tremor and 22 of those 25 years internal and dominant hand (right) tremors hit randomly. The video described the repositioning with the head in conjunction with balance in conjunction with rewiring or remapping the brain....
Could this also attempt to "rewire/remap" proper movement?
Can u please help me with this and instruct on how to find a local Brainport practitioner? Bach-y-Rita was a genius!

Monica

BTW... I forgot to add...

With tremors it isn't just a movement/shaking symptom alone... there are others... balance/dizziness/head rushes being a few of them.

My son is 7 years old and has Down Syndrome. He has also been diagnosed by a Clinical Psychologist with SID (Sensory Integration Disorder) - I think that is the right name for the abbreviation "SID". He simply can not stand large crowds or over stimulating events. He will become agitated and must be removed from the situation in order to settle down. Any and all touching in the head/face area is a major issue for him. The psychologist explained this disorder as being like "someone scratching their nails down a chalkboard" in which most people tremble at this act. This should give us an idea as to how a child with SID feels in many everyday living situations. I have noted the websites suggested by other viewers and will check those out. Should you have any mofe info that could benefit our son, please let me know. Thanks in advance for your help !!!

it all sounds great, but nobody has memtioned Parkinsons...would it work for balance due to dopamine cells dying.

Hi
Just come across this on the web. My 39 year old brother suffered spinal meningitis in October 08 and has been left deaf and blind. Is there anyway this might help him.

Cilla

Can this help with an autistic child? Please let me know.
Thanking you in advance for your help and information.

Да уж. Спасибо, что заставили задуматься :)

Любопытно. Хотелось бы еще чего-нибудь интересного на ту же тему.

Очень полезная вещь, спасибо!!

Почему на блоге так мало тем про кризис, Вас этот вопрос не волнует?

Автору спасибо, продолжайте нас радовать!

обновляйтеь чаще!

обновляйтеь чаще!

Где аргументы?

222

Можно ли взять одну картинку с Вашего блога? Очень понравилась. Линк на Вас есстественно поставлю.

Хорошая статья, узнал много нового!)

Интересно

Читаю уже не первую неделю Ваш блог, узнаю много интересного. Спасибо Вам за Ваш труд!

223

Интересный материал, спасибо!

Очень красиво, работа собственная?

Интересненько, а кто может объяснить девушке как добавить этот блог в избранное?

Спасибо, пост действительно толково написан и по делу, есть что почерпнуть.

Где аргументы?

Занятная статья. Много чего нового узнал для себя. Автору респект и уважуха :)

Вот это да! Неожиданный поворот событий!

А мне вот интересно, а сам автор читает комментарии к этому сообщению. Или мы тут сами для себя пишем?

Да уж... Тут как говорится: Артель воюет, а один горюет :)