Implants To Switch Off Neuropathic Pain

Today's post from sciencedaily.com (see link below) looks at the potential of implant technology in blocking nerve pain signals before they reach the brain (and are thus felt by the patient). In this way, the implants can be seen as forms of 'switches', turning the pain both on and off. The article is self-explanatory and doesn't need further elaboration but is definitely worth a read, despite the frustration that this technology is still only at the rodent-testing stage (how often do we hear that and then hear nothing more!)

Implantable wireless devices trigger, and may block, pain signals

Date:November 9, 2015 Source:Washington University School of Medicine

Summary:Building on wireless technology that has the potential to interfere with pain, scientists have developed flexible, implantable devices that can activate -- and, in theory, block -- pain signals in the body and spinal cord before those signals reach the brain. The researchers say the implants one day may be used in different parts of the body to fight pain that doesn't respond to other therapies.

Implanted microLED devices light up, activating peripheral nerve cells in mice. The devices are being developed and studied by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as a potential treatment for pain that does not respond to other therapies.
Credit: Gereau lab/Washington University

The researchers, at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, said the implants one day may be used in different parts of the body to fight pain that doesn't respond to other therapies.

"Our eventual goal is to use this technology to treat pain in very specific locations by providing a kind of 'switch' to turn off the pain signals long before they reach the brain," said co-senior investigator Robert W. Gereau IV, PhD, the Dr. Seymour and Rose T. Brown Professor of Anesthesiology and director of the Washington University Pain Center.

The study is published online Nov. 9 in the journal Nature Biotechnology.

Because the devices are soft and stretchable, they can be implanted into parts of the body that move, Gereau explained. The devices previously developed by the scientists had to be anchored to bone.

"But when we're studying neurons in the spinal cord or in other areas outside of the central nervous system, we need stretchable implants that don't require anchoring," he said.

The new devices are held in place with sutures. Like the previous models, they contain microLED lights that can activate specific nerve cells. Gereau said he hopes to use the implants to blunt pain signals in patients who have pain that cannot be managed with standard therapies.

The researchers experimented with mice that were genetically engineered to have light-sensitive proteins on some of their nerve cells. To demonstrate that the implants could influence the pain pathway in nerve cells, the researchers activated a pain response with light. When the mice walked through a specific area in a maze, the implanted devices lit up and caused the mice to feel discomfort. Upon leaving that part of the maze, the devices turned off, and the discomfort dissipated. As a result, the animals quickly learned to avoid that part of the maze.

The experiment would have been very difficult with older optogenetic devices, which are tethered to a power source and can inhibit the movement of the mice.

Because the new, smaller, devices are flexible and can be held in place with sutures, they also may have potential uses in or around the bladder, stomach, intestines, heart or other organs, according to co-principal investigator John A. Rogers, PhD, professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Illinois.

"They provide unique, biocompatible platforms for wireless delivery of light to virtually any targeted organ in the body," he said.

Rogers and Gereau designed the implants with an eye toward manufacturing processes that would allow for mass production so the devices could be available to other researchers. Gereau, Rogers and Michael R. Bruchas, PhD, associate professor of anesthesiology at Washington University, have launched a company called NeuroLux to aid in that goal.

Story Source:

The above post is reprinted from materials provided by Washington University School of Medicine. The original item was written by Jim Dryden. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.


Journal Reference:
Sung Il Park, Daniel S Brenner, Gunchul Shin, Clinton D Morgan, Bryan A Copits, Ha Uk Chung, Melanie Y Pullen, Kyung Nim Noh, Steve Davidson, Soong Ju Oh, Jangyeol Yoon, Kyung-In Jang, Vijay K Samineni, Megan Norman, Jose G Grajales-Reyes, Sherri K Vogt, Saranya S Sundaram, Kellie M Wilson, Jeong Sook Ha, Renxiao Xu, Taisong Pan, Tae-il Kim, Yonggang Huang, Michael C Montana, Judith P Golden, Michael R Bruchas, Robert W Gereau, John A Rogers. Soft, stretchable, fully implantable miniaturized optoelectronic systems for wireless optogenetics. Nature Biotechnology, 2015; DOI: 10.1038/nbt.3415

Cite This Page:

Washington University School of Medicine. "Implantable wireless devices trigger, and may block, pain signals." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 9 November 2015. .

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151109143616.htm

Can Magnets Help with Neuropathic Pain

You would think not on the face of it but so many 'clinics' and private practitioners offer magnetic treatments for foot, leg and joint pain, you begin to wonder if they're onto something, or if it's a giant (and very lucrative) scam! This article from DiscoveryHealth.com, (see link below) takes an objective look at the subject and comes to the conclusion that more research is needed. Where have we heard that before? Yep, everywhere!

Magnet Therapy and Diabetic Neuropathy

by DiscoveryHealth.com writers

Magnets have used for centuries in China, India, and Egypt for their alleged healing powers. In the late 1800s, American advertisements offered magnetic belts and insoles as a cure for sleeplessness, hysteria, and indigestion. Such claims continue today, yet exactly how or if they work remains unknown.

One theory suggests that magnets can work with the body's own magnetism, similar to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedure. An MRI scanner creates a strong magnetic field, which causes the atoms within body tissues to shift. Based on that premise, it would seem possible for therapeutic magnets to heal damaged nerves.

Some researchers believe the magnets increase blood flow, "nourishing" a painful area, helping it heal, while others say magnets "repolarize" nerve impulses, changing the perception of pain.

Whatever the reason, magnetic insoles, mattress pads, pillows, bracelets, Belts, and even hairbrushes are a $5 billion industry worldwide, thanks to consumers who swear by them as a safe, noninvasive therapy for all types of chronic pain from tendonitis to migraine headaches.

Mainstream medicine, however, isn't buying it. For every study that shows the potential benefits of using magnets, it seems there's another that shows none at all. One of the more compelling studies appeared in the American Journal of Pain Management in January 1999. In it, Dr. Michael Weintraub, a neurologist at New York Medical College in Valhalla, N.Y., studied the effects of magnets on diabetic and nondiabetic patients with chronic foot pain.

His results showed 90 percent of the diabetics found magnetic footpad insoles significantly reduced chronic foot pain. While the numbers look impressive, critics say the study was too small to mean much. Meanwhile, another study done at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Prescott, Ariz., published in the March 2000 Journal of the American Medical Association, found that adults with long-term back pain got absolutely no significant pain reduction from magnet therapy.

Despite the controversy, most experts agree the therapy warrants more research. In fact, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health believes the potential of magnetic healing worthwhile enough that it funded two ongoing studies on magnets and pain.

http://health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/tests-treatment/magnet-therapy-and-diabetic-neuropathy.htm

IMMUNE SYSTEM OF NEW BORN BABIES STRONGER THAN PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT

Contrary to what was previously thought, newborn immune T cells may have the ability to trigger an inflammatory response to bacteria, according to a new study led by King's College London. Although their immune system works very differently to that of adults, babies may still be able to mount a strong immune defense, finds the study published in the journal Nature Medicine.

Our immune system is made up of several different types of immune cells, including neutrophils which play an important role in the frontline defense against infection, and lymphocytes: B cells which produce antibodies, and T cells that target cells infected with viruses and microbes.

Up to now, it was generally believed that babies have an immature immune system that doesn't trigger the same inflammatory response normally seen in adults. Although babies need to protect themselves from the harmful pathogens they are exposed to from birth, it was thought that their T cells were suppressed to some extent to prevent inflammatory damage to the developing child. Sceptical of this notion, the King's-led study set out to characterize the properties of T cells, examining very small samples of blood in twenty-eight highly premature babies, as they developed over the first few weeks of life.

The team discovered that whilst T cells in newborn babies are largely different to those in adults, it is not because they are immunosuppressed; rather, they manufacture a potent anti-bacterial molecule known as IL8 that has not previously been considered a major product of T cells, and that activates neutrophils to attack the body's foreign invaders.

Dr Deena GibbonsDeena Gibbons, lead author in the Department of Immunobiology at King's College London, says: "We found that babies have an in-built anti-bacterial defense mechanism that works differently to adults, but nevertheless may be effective in protecting them. This may also be a mechanism by which the baby protects itself in the womb from infections of the mother. The next stage of our work will be to better understand the pathways that result in the immune cells of newborns being so different to those in adults."

This T cell activity could become a target for future treatments aimed at boosting the immune system of neonates in intensive care, where infection is a major risk for morbidity and mortality. Premature babies are also at serious risk of developing inflammatory diseases such as necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), where severe inflammation destroys tissues in the gut. NEC is the most common gastrointestinal surgical emergency in preterm babies, with mortality rates of around 15 to 30 per cent in the UK.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR PILES OR HEMORRHOIDS

Hemorrhoids  also called piles, are swollen and inflamed veins in your anus and lower rectum. Hemorrhoids may result from straining during bowel movements or from the increased pressure on these veins during pregnancy, among other causes. Hemorrhoids may be located inside the rectum (internal hemorrhoids), or they may develop under the skin around the anus (external hemorrhoids).

Hemorrhoids are common ailments. By age 50, about half of adults have had to deal with the itching, discomfort and bleeding that can signal the presence of hemorrhoids.

Fortunately, many effective options are available to treat hemorrhoids. Most people can get relief from symptoms by using home treatments and making lifestyle changes.

CAUSES-The veins around your anus tend to stretch under pressure and may bulge or swell. Swollen veins (hemorrhoids) can develop from an increase in pressure in the lower rectum. Factors that might cause increased pressure include:

·         Straining during bowel movements

·         Sitting for long periods of time on the toilet

·         Chronic diarrhea or constipation

·         Obesity

·         Pregnancy

·         Anal intercourse

·         Low-fiber diet

Hemorrhoids are more likely as you get older because the tissues that support the veins in your rectum and anus can weaken and stretch with aging.

Symptoms --Signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids may include:

·         Painless bleeding during bowel movements — you might notice small amounts of bright red blood on your toilet tissue or in the toilet bowl

·         Itching or irritation in your anal region

·         Pain or discomfort

·         Swelling around your anus

·         A lump near your anus, which may be sensitive or painful

·         Leakage of feces

Hemorrhoid symptoms usually depend on the location. Internal hemorrhoids lie inside the rectum. You usually can't see or feel these hemorrhoids, and they usually don't cause discomfort.

But straining or irritation when passing stool can damage a hemorrhoid's delicate surface and cause it to bleed. Occasionally, straining can push an internal hemorrhoid through the anal opening. This is known as a protruding or prolapsed hemorrhoid and can cause pain and irritation.

External hemorrhoids are under the skin around your anus. When irritated, external hemorrhoids can itch or bleed. Sometimes blood may pool in an external hemorrhoid and form a clot (thrombus), resulting in severe pain, swelling and inflammation.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

ALOE SOCOTRINA 30-Homeopathic medicine Aloe Socotrina is one of the top   medicine for treating protruding piles. Piles appear blue like bunch of grapes at anal verge. They are very tender, sore and painful. Burning at anus also accompanies. Intense itching may also appear . Relief from cold applications in piles symptoms is also a guiding feature to use Aloe. A history of long standing diarrhea may be present .

NUX VOMICA 30- Nux Vomica is also  a top grade remedy for piles with constipation. A person needing Nux Vomica has piles with frequent- ineffectual urging for stool but passes little stool at a time. The urge for stool is renewed shortly after one has defecated. The stool is always unsatisfactory. Nux Vomica is highly beneficial for blind piles. Blind piles with pressive/sticking/burning/shooting pains calls for use of Nux Vomica. Subjects with sedentary habits developing piles with constipation fit the complete picture for Nux Vomica to be used

HAMAMELIS 30--Hamamelis is an effective  homeopathic medicine for Bleeding piles. In homeopathy, Hamamelis is a top grade remedy for venous congestions and bleeding tendencies.It is very effective in controlling hemorrhages. It can be used confidently with great results in bleeding piles. Piles that bleed profusely require Hamamelis without a second thought. Burning and soreness in rectum may appear with bleeding. Few  may also complain of backache with bleeding piles. Soreness or rawness at anus is also marked. Extreme weakness also accompanies bleeding piles.

RATANHIA 30- Ratanhia is prescribed for  piles when  marked burning and pain for many hours after stool is present. The character of Pain is ‘as if broken glass pieces are placed in rectum’ .  knife like stabbing pain also indicate the use of Ratanhia.

MURIATIC ACID 30- Muriatic acid is the best effective remedy for piles during pregnancy.Piles protruding like bunch of grapes. Violent stitching pain and soreness , better by heat.

PAEONIA OFF. 30—Paeonia should be tried if Mucuna fails. Piles large and ulcerated. Ulceration of anus and perineum, purple covered with crusts. Itching burning and fissures in anus.

AESCULUS HIPP. 30--Aesculus is  used in piles when it is accompanied with backache. Severe, sharp, shooting lower backache in lumbo sacral region  with haemorrhoids is sure shot sign for Aesculus to be used.  Aesculus is mainly a remedy for blind piles. Piles appear purple, painful, burning with rawness, soreness and itching. Stool is also constipated and is hard, dry and difficult to expel. Rectum feels full of small sticks.

CAUSTICUM 30-Causticum is prescribed when the piles is extremely painful when touched,when walking, standing or sitting, better after a stool. Piles impeding stool. Itching, stitching, moist and burning piles.Worse when thinking of them, by touch, when exerting voice

CALCAREA FLOUR 12X- Calcrea flour is used both blind and bleeding piles.There is backache , which is more on the sacrum. In bleeding piles , the blood is bright red with swollen and painful piles. There is chronic constipation with piles . There is itching and prolapse of rectum. It cures tumours with piles.

MUCUNA Q-A specific remedy for bleeding piles.

COLLINSONIA 30-Collinsonia is prescribed when piles with backache and obstinate constipation is present. Piles bleeding or blind and protruding. Bleeding only with great pressure. There is alternate constipation and diarrhea

NITRIC ACID 30-Piles bleed easily. Bowels constipated with fissures in rectum. Violent cutting pain after stool.

SULPHUR 200-Sulphur may be prescribed both bleeding and blind piles. There is a sinking feeling at the stomach , especially in the afternoon . Itching and burning in the anus. Irritable skin, worse at night, on getting warm in bed, and from washing

Moon Garden

I am so excited. My daughter and I started our Moon Garden. We dug out the outline and fed it with organic fertilizer ( we have very clay soil here). You can see the very weak start of the stone border-to-be. The circle will don a large homemade tipi, laden with climbing moonflowers and roses, and other pretty climbers we haven't thought of yet. The crescent moon will be filled with silver and white plants, like Datura, Artemisia's, Lobelia .... and I'm sure we will build it over time.

The coolest thing about this is that we can actually look over the top of it from our deck, admiring the design at it's fullest.

My daughter is ten, and making this garden with her is really special. She's a hard working gardener, and an impressive conversationalist. What could be more magical?

Homemade Pregnancy Tests

False Positive Pregnancy Test

TODAY Parents is the premiere destination for parenting news, advice community. Find the latest parenting trends and tips for your kids and family on TODAY.com..

False Positive Pregnancy Test

Bleach Pregnancy Test Positive

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More Evidence That Inhaled Cannabis Helps Neuropathy Pain

Today's post from the ever-reliable sciencedaily.com (see link below) provides yet more evidence that inhaled cannabis can be one of the few genuinely effective means of quietening neuropathic symptoms. Of course, smoking a joint is also inhaling cannabis (or at least the THC component) but many people quite understandably, can't take the smoking aspect of it and inhaling via vaporizers is for them, a better solution. The argument drags on but the more studies like this one, the more the relevant authorities will be convinced that it doesn't lead to a path of depravity and ruin. Meanwhile, savvy neuropathy patients have known this for years and regularly control their pain by means of inhaled cannabis, with no ill effects. When the moral and law-giving forces catch up we may get sensible legislation rolled out across the world.

Inhaled cannabis shown effective for diabetic neuropathy pain
Date: July 20, 2015 Source: American Pain Society 

Summary:

Inhaled cannabis reduces diabetic neuropathy and the analgesic effect is dose-dependent, new research suggests. Researchers conducted a randomized, double-blind study evaluating 16 subjects to assess the efficacy and tolerability of inhaled cannabis for treating pain caused by diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).

FULL STORY

New research reported in The Journal of Pain, published by the American Pain Society, shows that inhaled cannabis reduces diabetic neuropathy and the analgesic effect is dose-dependent.

Researchers at the University of California San Diego conducted a randomized, double-blind study evaluating 16 subjects to assess the efficacy and tolerability of inhaled cannabis for treating pain caused by diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). They studied the effects of low, medium and high doses of inhaled cannabis on DPN pain and hyperalgesia. Subjects participated in four outpatient treatment sessions, separated by two weeks, in which they were exposed to placebo or three different doses of aerosol 1% THC, the most abundant and psychoactive compound in cannabis. As a drug delivery method for marijuana research, inhalation is preferred because the pharmacokinetics of inhalation are superior to smoking, as peak effects occur quickly and are more easily titrated.

DPN occurs in half of diabetes patients and 15 percent have pain, especially in the feet. Many patients do not achieve satisfactory relief from two FDA-approved treatments. Animal research in models of neuropathic pain suggest that cannabinoids may be effective in reducing pain, but no studies have focused specifically on painful DPN.

"We hypothesized that inhaled cannabis would result in a dose-dependent reduction in spontaneous and evoked pain with a concomitant effect on cognitive function," said lead author Mark S. Wallace, M.D., professor of anesthesiology, University of California San Diego School of Medicine.

Results showed there was a dose-dependent reduction in pain intensity from inhaled cannabis, which the authors noted is consistent with results of other trials of the drug for diverse neuropathic pain syndromes.

"The dose dependent analgesic effect was evident for both spontaneous and evoked pain in the trial subjects, but it was more consistent on spontaneous pain," said Wallace.

The also authors reported that all subjects experienced either euphoria or somnolence, which may limit the acceptability of cannabis as an analgesic. However, in measuring the impact of inhaled cannabis impact on cognition (attention and memory), they found modest effects with no dramatic declines or impairments.

"These findings along with previous studies suggest that cannabis might have analgesic benefit in neuropathic pain syndromes, including treatment-refractory DPN," said Wallace.

Story Source:

The above post is reprinted from materials provided by American Pain Society. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

Journal Reference: 
 
Mark S. Wallace, Thomas D. Marcotte, Anya Umlauf, Ben Gouaux, Joseph H. Atkinson. Efficacy of Inhaled Cannabis on Painful Diabetic Neuropathy. The Journal of Pain, 2015; 16 (7): 616 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2015.03.008
 
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/07/150720115147.htm