Clinical-grade spinal cord neuroprosthesis to alleviate locomotor deficits in people with parkinson's disease

The Defense Health Agency (DHA) awarded a $490,602 Project Grant to Ecole Polytechnique Federale De Lausanne (EPFL) effective September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2028, under the Military Medical Research and Development program (CFDA 12.420). This award supports the development of a clinical-grade spinal cord neuroprosthesis designed to alleviate locomotor deficits in individuals with Parkinson's disease. The research will be conducted at EPFL's facilities in Switzerland and represents an advanced biomedical research initiative aimed at translating neuroprosthetic technologies into clinical applications to address neurological impairment associated with Parkinson's disease.

This funding aligns with the Military Medical Research and Development program's mandate to support hypothesis-driven research and the development of novel therapeutic interventions addressing critical health challenges relevant to military personnel and the broader public. EPFL's demonstrated expertise in biomedical engineering and neuroprosthetic technologies, as evidenced by prior DHA and Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) awards, positions the institution to deliver sophisticated research and development services in advancing spinal cord stimulation technologies for clinical implementation.