FREDERICK, Md. (AP) – Television personality Montel Williams is joining Army scientists at Fort Detrick in a medical research deal.

The signing ceremony Friday marks the start of an Army collaboration with Williams’ company and the University of Wisconsin on a brain-stimulation device for people with balance and walking problems.

Williams has muscular sclerosis. The disease causes balance and walking problems similar to those found in some U.S. service members with traumatic brain injury.

Wisconsin researchers have been studying a mouthpiece promoted by Williams that electrically stimulates the tongues of patients doing balance and walking exercises. The electrical impulses are supposed to retrain their brains.

The Army will further evaluate the device and seek federal Food and Drug Administration approval for it.

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