PoNS neurostimulation with intensive rehabilitation can stimulate neuroplasticity

A recently published scientific study led by the Center for Neurology Studies at HealthTech Connex and a research team from Simon Fraser University (SFU) reports on the latest breakthroughs in the Iron Soldier project. Captain (retired) Trevor Greene, who was attacked with an ax on the head while serving in Afghanistan, continues to set conventional limits on restoring brain health.

The research study published in Limits of Human Neuroscience is led by neuroscientist Dr. Ryan D’Arcy directs and involves tracking Capt. Greene as well as his physical, cognitive and PTSD enhancements as he rewires his brain with the latest and most advanced brain technologies.

Capt. Greene and Dr. D’Arcy shared their remarkable advances and demonstrated their mission to make scientific breakthroughs in neuroplasticity through a recent TEDx talk

In 2006, retired Canadian soldier Capt. Greene suffered a severe brain injury when he was attacked with an ax on the head while on a combat tour in Afghanistan. He spent years in various therapies and rehabilitation and began working with Dr. D’Arcy to work. In 2015, the Royal Canadian Legion’s BC and Yukon Command helped equip Trevor with a robotic exoskeleton that helped him continue learning to walk.

This exciting initiative, called Project Iron Soldier, was the inspiration behind the development of Legion Veterans Village, a $ 312 million center of excellence in PTSD, mental health and rehabilitation for veterans and first responders (currently under construction in Surrey).

Capt. Greene and the Project Iron Soldier research team continued intensive daily rehabilitation, but the team experienced an expanded plateau that was only done with conventional therapy.

To break the plateau, the Center for Neurology Studies started an intensive 14-week study with the Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (or PoNS ™). The PoNS is a neurostimulation technology that sends a series of small electrical impulses through the tongue (called translingual neurostimulation) to the brain to safely promote neuroplasticity.

The team tracked improvements in improving the vital functions of the brain using the NeuroCatch® platform (or NeuroCatch®). NeuroCatch is a fast, objective measure of cognitive brain function.

When Trevor hit a plateau in his rehabilitation, we tried intensive conventional treatment approaches, but without success. Only after combining the PoNS with this rehabilitation therapy were we able to overcome these latest barriers and demonstrate significant improvements in the measurements of the vital functions of his brain. ”

Dr. Ryan D’Arcy, Co-Founder of HealthTech Connex and Professor at Simon Fraser University

Results of the study:

The newly published results in Limits of Human Neuroscience show that PoNS neurostimulation, coupled with intense rehabilitation, can stimulate neuroplasticity to overcome an extended recovery plateau, which is objectively measured using NeuroCatch and other brain scanning technologies. The main results were:

Capt. Greene showed significant gains in clinical outcome measures for physical therapy even after 14 years since the ax attack. Capt. Greene and his wife, Debbie Greene, also reported remarkable and lasting improvements in cognition and PTSD symptoms.

Capt. Greene showed significant improvements in brain cognitive function in cognitive functions, particularly auditory perception (measured using the N100 response), basic attention (measured using the P300 response), and cognitive processing (measured using the N400 response).

Capt. Greene says, “I first saw the power of neuroplasticity in the early days when Ryan showed me MRI images of my brain showing how healthy brain tissue was taking over the damaged parts. I later saw the full power of the PoNS device as I was proven to become stronger, more stable, and more coordinated after using it regularly for just a few weeks. It was really a game changer for me and my family. ”

“Trevor’s amazing advancement is undoubtedly pushing the boundaries of medicine by overcoming the perceived limits of brain regeneration,” said Dr. Shaun Fickling, the study’s lead author, who received his PhD from Simon Fraser University.

“These brain imaging results provide valuable insight into the importance of unleashing the power of neuroplasticity to inspire countless people affected by brain disorders and mental health.”

Dr. D’Arcy summarizes, “These neurotechnology breakthroughs are having a profound impact that inspire many of us to go beyond conventional boundaries in restoring neurological and mental health.”