Autonomic nervous system

Alterity Therapeutics Announces Presentation of Novel Biomarker Data for Evaluation of Multiple System Atrophy

Retrieved on: 
Monday, November 27, 2023

The poster entitled, “Relationship between N-acetylaspartate and neurofilament light chain in multiple system atrophy” was presented by Paula Trujillo Diaz, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Key Points: 
  • The poster entitled, “Relationship between N-acetylaspartate and neurofilament light chain in multiple system atrophy” was presented by Paula Trujillo Diaz, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
  • N-acetylaspartate (NAA) is a novel biomarker of neuronal integrity with potential for assessing disease severity, monitoring the course of disease, and evaluating the efficacy of disease modifying therapies in MSA.
  • In the study, the data provided evidence that NAA correlates with levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL) in patients with early MSA.
  • “The data presented at AAS reveals another potentially important biomarker for the evaluation of this rapidly progressive disease with no approved treatment.

New Treatment Restores Sense of Smell in Patients with Long COVID

Retrieved on: 
Monday, November 20, 2023

Parosmia, a condition where the sense of smell no longer works correctly, is a known symptom of COVID-19.

Key Points: 
  • Parosmia, a condition where the sense of smell no longer works correctly, is a known symptom of COVID-19.
  • While most patients do recover their sense of smell over time, some patients with long COVID continue to have these symptoms for months, or even years, after infection, negatively impacting their appetite for food and their overall quality of life.
  • The distorted sense of smell can also affect smell perception, and some patients may suffer from phantosmia, a condition that causes people to detect smells—foul or pleasant—that aren't in their environment.
  • To assess a possible treatment for patients with long-term post-COVID parosmia, researchers looked at the potential benefits of CT-guided stellate ganglion block.

Theravance Biopharma to Present New Ampreloxetine Data at the 34th International Symposium on The Autonomic Nervous System

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 16, 2023

DUBLIN, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Theravance Biopharma, Inc. ("Theravance Biopharma" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: TBPH) today announced that a new, anchor-based analysis of ampreloxetine data in neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH) will be presented at the 34th International Symposium on The Autonomic Nervous System, a meeting of the American Autonomic Society (AAS), taking place November 15-18, 2023, in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.

Key Points: 
  • DUBLIN, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Theravance Biopharma, Inc. ("Theravance Biopharma" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: TBPH) today announced that a new, anchor-based analysis of ampreloxetine data in neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH) will be presented at the 34th International Symposium on The Autonomic Nervous System, a meeting of the American Autonomic Society (AAS), taking place November 15-18, 2023, in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.
  • Anchor-based analyses help establish thresholds used to interpret the clinical meaningfulness of changes in patient-reported outcomes measures such as the Orthostatic Hypotension Questionnaire (OHQ).
  • This anchor-based analysis model will aid in the interpretation of clinically meaningful changes to the OHSA composite score observed in CYPRESS.
  • Further, establishment of an anchor-based, clinically meaningful change in the OHSA composite primary endpoint will be important for clinicians, regulators, and payors.

Thinkspace Brings Life-Changing Wellness Pod to North America, 10-Minute Cycle Reduces Stress & Anxiety

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 2, 2023

CHICAGO, Nov. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Thinkspace brings an entirely new perspective on personal human wellness to North America with the Neuron Activation Pod. The pod stimulates the autonomic nervous system using low-frequency vibrations guiding the body into a meditative state. In this state, the body naturally heals itself. The benefits of the cycle continue throughout the day increasing recovery and aiding the user to a deeper night's sleep.

Key Points: 
  • CHICAGO, Nov. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Thinkspace brings an entirely new perspective on personal human wellness to North America with the Neuron Activation Pod .
  • The benefits of the cycle continue throughout the day increasing recovery and aiding the user to a deeper night's sleep.
  • "The statistics on stress and anxiety in the United States stunned me," said Anjul Chandi, CEO of Thinkspace.
  • Kevin Lahtinen, LoOok Industries
    The Neuron Activation Pod can be tested in 15 locations across North America.

Apollo Neuroscience Introduces First Wearable with AI-Driven, Personalized Sleep and Stress Relief

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 18, 2023

This is also the very first wearable technology to use both predictive and generative AI to learn about a person’s stress levels and sleep quality to proactively improve sleep and support the body's recovery from stress.

Key Points: 
  • This is also the very first wearable technology to use both predictive and generative AI to learn about a person’s stress levels and sleep quality to proactively improve sleep and support the body's recovery from stress.
  • Available starting today, Apollo customers who subscribe to a membership will get SmartVibes for sleep, enabling their Apollo wearable to sense when their sleep is disturbed to soothe them back to sleep in real-time.
  • “We are pleased to see Apollo Neuro leveraging ŌURA’s continuous data to help people prioritize stress relief and recovery.
  • SmartVibes for sleep is now available as a membership to everyone with an Apollo wearable – starting at $79.99 a year.

Realeve Unveils Breakthrough Solution to Treat Central Nervous System Disorders Including Stroke and Cluster Headache; Bypasses Brain’s Natural Barrier to Deliver Therapeutics

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 21, 2023

Realeve has also been granted Breakthrough Device designation from the FDA with a goal of obtaining FDA approval and CE Mark to treat cluster headaches in 2024.

Key Points: 
  • Realeve has also been granted Breakthrough Device designation from the FDA with a goal of obtaining FDA approval and CE Mark to treat cluster headaches in 2024.
  • We are also exploring its applications in other central nervous system disease conditions and excited about the potential,” states Dr. Peter Bonutti, founder and president, Realeve.
  • This technology holds promise for addressing conditions like Alzheimer's, tumors, and other central nervous system disorders.
  • The targeted therapy provides both pain relief, and can increase blood flow and medication delivery to the central nervous system.

Overly flexible connective tissue causes problems in joints and throughout the body − and is often missed by doctors

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 1, 2023

Connective tissue is found throughout the human body, within and between structures as varied as muscles, nerves and internal organs.

Key Points: 
  • Connective tissue is found throughout the human body, within and between structures as varied as muscles, nerves and internal organs.
  • Many people, especially young women, have very flexible connective tissue.
  • Hypermobile connective tissue can also cause serious health problems throughout the body, including the gut, nerves, skin, urinary tract and even immune system.

Wide range of symptoms

    • While some forms have genetic markers, more than 90% of hypermobility conditions – including hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorder – do not.
    • Symptoms and severity can differ greatly from person to person and vary over time.
    • Symptoms can include widespread pain and frequent injury, irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion, hernias, frequent bruising and poor skin healing, trouble breathing, migraines and headaches, dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety and trouble concentrating.
    • Hypermobility experts now believe Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is not as rare as previously thought – and many people are misdiagnosed or undiagnosed.

Difficulties with diagnosis

    • Lack of a diagnosis can be frightening and discouraging for people with hypermobility spectrum disorder.
    • Patients are often told nothing is wrong with them and they are just complaining too much or have low pain tolerance.
    • A delayed diagnosis leads to worse function, increased pain and disability.

How physical therapy can help hypermobility

    • Although research is limited, existing research suggests that physical therapy can improve sensory awareness and motor control – and help patients identify, activate and strengthen stabilizing muscles.
    • Occupational therapy can also benefit hypermobile patients through environmental modifications, activity pacing and assistive and mobility devices like splints, braces and wheelchairs.
    • Once it has been identified, though, many strategies can help decrease pain and injuries – and improve function and quality of life.

Why do fingers get wrinkly after a long bath or swim? A biomedical engineer explains

Retrieved on: 
Monday, August 28, 2023

Why do fingers and toes get wrinkly and change color after a dip in a pool or a bath?

Key Points: 
  • Why do fingers and toes get wrinkly and change color after a dip in a pool or a bath?
  • – Raymond Y., age 12, Bothell, Washington
    Why do fingers and toes get wrinkly and change color after a dip in a pool or a bath?
  • But researchers back in the 1930s discovered that in people with nerve damage in their fingers, the post-bath wrinkles didn’t form.
  • So, if it isn’t swelling due to water, then what is behind pruny fingers and toes after a long swim?

A nerve signal for narrower blood vessels

    • It also automatically controls the expansion and contraction of your blood vessels.
    • Typically, temperature, medications or what you eat or drink can cause your blood vessels to expand or contract.
    • Nerve fibers send a message about lower salt levels to your brain, and the autonomic nervous system responds by constricting the blood vessels.
    • This constriction of blood vessels also causes the skin to become paler – it’s the opposite of what happens when your skin gets redder when you get into a really hot bath, due to your blood vessels dilating.

An advantage to wrinkled fingers or toes

    • Researchers have found that wrinkled skin has added grip underwater in comparison to unwrinkled skin.
    • It makes walking along an underwater surface easier, with less likelihood of slipping.
    • We’re interested in skin analyses that can be done to help forensic investigators after a crime or disaster.
    • Prolonged immersion in water makes skin more likely to break, but this weakening can take weeks to occur.

How to Transform Stress, Anxiety, Anger, Depression and Worry into Creativity, Confidence and Optimism Will Be Taught at Leonard Perlmutter's New "Foundation Course"

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 16, 2023

AVERILL PARK, N.Y., Aug. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- To reduce painful stress symptoms experienced at home and work, Leonard Perlmutter, Founder of the American Meditation Institute, will teach two special six week sessions of his proprietary AMI Meditation Foundation Course curriculum August 22 – September 26 and October 3 – November 14, 2023 on Tuesday evenings 6:30 to 8:30pm ET on Zoom. This one-of-a-kind program, which offers easy, practical tools proven in a recent clinical study to reduce burnout and stress, is open to the general public, and is certified by the American Medical Association to provide physicians 18 CMEs (Continuing Medical Education credits).

Key Points: 
  • "In this Foundation Course, I will teach you how to transform the harmful energy of worry, anger and depression into more beneficial, life-affirming forms like creativity, self-confidence and optimism."
  • Leonard Perlmutter/Ram Lev AMI Founder
    Leonard Perlmutter is curriculum developer of the "AMI Meditation® Foundation Course," and originator of National Conscience Month.
  • Leonard has served on the faculties of the New England Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine, the Himalayan Yoga Teachers Association and the College of Saint Rose.
  • Each weekly session combines the best of ancient Eastern wisdom with the practicality of modern Western medical science.

What is POTS? And how is it related to long COVID?

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 8, 2023

But during the pandemic, we’ve been learning about the strong similarities with long COVID.

Key Points: 
  • But during the pandemic, we’ve been learning about the strong similarities with long COVID.
  • In fact, our recent research shows more than three-quarters of people with long COVID we studied had POTS.
  • À lire aussi :
    When does COVID become long COVID?

What triggers it?

    • Then came the pandemic, with almost 800 million people infected so far with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID.
    • The World Health Organization says 10-20% of people infected with COVID are likely to develop long COVID – when unexplained symptoms persist three months or more after the infection.

What we and others have found

    • The people in our study either attended a specialist cardiology clinic for people with POTS or long COVID, or came via a long COVID support group on social media.
    • So we cannot generalise our results to people managing their long COVID at home or with their GP.
    • Earlier this year, a review said about 30% of people with people with “highly symptomatic” long COVID also had POTS.

What happens if you have POTS?

    • This, or another trigger, affects the autonomic nervous system.
    • Even if the autonomic nervous system is marginally disturbed, it leads to the physiological equivalent of anarchy.

A long path to diagnosis

    • Diagnosis can take years.
    • In our submission to the parliamentary inquiry into long COVID, we shared the experiences of people with POTS symptoms and their frustration at the lack of recognition by the medical profession.
    • À lire aussi :
      We got some key things wrong about long COVID.

We can do better

    • Although many people with POTS report they were referred to multiple specialists before they were diagnosed, this is not always necessary.
    • GPs can ask you to do a ten-minute standing test to help diagnose it.
    • They can also exclude other common causes of POTS symptoms, such as lung and heart conditions.
    • À lire aussi :
      What should my heart rate be and what affects it?

How about referral?

    • There are no specialised clinics for POTS in public hospitals.
    • For more information about the condition, see the Australian POTS Foundation website, which also lists doctors and allied health professionals who are “POTS aware”.
    • Marie-Claire Seeley receives funding from The Australian Government Research Training Scholarship and Standing up to POTS .