  Among the various key networks in the human body, the nervous system occupies
central importance. The debilitating effects of spinal cord injuries (SCI)
impact a significant number of people throughout the world, and to date, there
is no satisfactory method to treat them. In this paper, we review the major
treatment techniques for SCI that include promising solutions based on
information and communication technology (ICT) and identify the key
characteristics of such systems. We then introduce two novel ICT-based
treatment approaches for SCI. The first proposal is based on neural interface
systems (NIS) with enhanced feedback, where the external machines are
interfaced with the brain and the spinal cord such that the brain signals are
directly routed to the limbs for movement. The second proposal relates to the
design of self-organizing artificial neurons (ANs) that can be used to replace
the injured or dead biological neurons. Apart from SCI treatment, the proposed
methods may also be utilized as enabling technologies for neural interface
applications by acting as bio-cyber interfaces between the nervous system and
machines. Furthermore, under the framework of Internet of Bio- Nano Things
(IoBNT), experience gained from SCI treatment techniques can be transferred to
nano communication research.
