#100: Quest for the Best in Neurology, Installment #6 [27:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (430)

Part 2 of a 2-part mini series.

After we give you a quick recap on Part 1 from last week…

Hear these reports:

1. Neurons Can be Generated From Glial Cells. Glia cells are stem cells in the brain, and using specific transcription factors they can be induced to differentiate into functional nerve cells. With this remarkable discovery, we have yet another means of potentially replacing – regenerating - damaged brain cells after injury or disease, by transforming the endogenous glia cells into neurons.
2. Getting closer to being able to transplant stem cells into the human brain. Stem cells implanted into the hippocampi of mice increased new nerve cells by 65% and new astrocytes rose by essentially 125%.
3. Implanted cardiac stem cells prevented life-threatening arrhythmias. Essentially 100% of the control mice developed V-tach (the mice that had myocardial infarctions, but were not given the stem cells). But the mice that were given the stem cells (after having an MI) had the same risk of developing V-tach as healthy mice which did not have MIs. Explained by stem cell gene’s ability to synthesize cellular protein Connexin 43.
4. Human embryonic heart stem cells condition – bring health to - mice hearts after MIs. The stem cells - epicardium derived stem cells - had what was described as “an almost instant stimulating effect on the surrounding heart tissue.”
5. Elsevier Launches New Journal: “Stem Cell Research.” The new journal will focus on “high-quality research in all aspects of stem cell science. Report describes stem cell therapy (regenerative medicine) as “a field growing faster than any other in the life sciences.”
6. Stem cell therapy rescues motor neurons in ALS model. The researchers saw almost 100 percent protection of the motor neurons. However, the motor neurons apparently could not maintain their synaptic connections with the muscles they control. More research needed to explain why.
7. Nanomedicine Opens The Way For Nerve Cell Regeneration. Researchers at the university of Miami demonstrated that magnetic nanoparticles result in ‘mechanical tension’ that stimulates the growth of axons. And researchers at University of California, Berkeley use nanofibers containing growth factors to provide what is described as a ‘bioactive matrix’ on which neurons can regrow.

Next week’s show: Our 7th installment of Reign Over Pain - Commanding news you can use to benefit your hurting patients. Here are a few topics on which we’ll be presenting news: Migraine and Serotonin Syndrome, Postpartum Headache, fibromyalgia and peripheral neuropathy.

 

 #92: Nerve University, Installment #4 [35:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (426)

Education, Research and Scholarship in Neurology

Hear these reports and discussions:

• Gene Variants May Confer Sporadic ALS Susceptibility
• Sago Palm As A Cause Of ALS (likely involves glutamate neurotoxicity). Might other toxins be involved in causing ALS too (depending on genetic susceptibility)?
• Military Veterans Have Almost 60% Greater Chance Of Getting ALS Than The General Population.
• Hereditary ALS Linked To Low Electrical Charges In The Cells - resulting in clumping of SOD enzyme.
  
• Genetic Cause Discovered For Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
• Schizophrenia Risk Genes Affect Even Healthy Individuals
• Einstein Researchers Used Novel Approach to Uncover Genetic Components of Aging
• A New Brake On Cellular Energy Production Has Been Discovered
• PINK1 Gene Protects from Parkinson Disease
• Parkinson’s Protein’ – ‘Parkin’ - Protects Neurons From Oxidative Stress-Induced Cell Death By Activating Specific Survival Mechanisms
• Nobel Prize In Physiology And Medicine For 2007 Awarded To Doctors Mario Capecchi, Martin Evans And Oliver Smithies For Their Work On Gene Modification (In Mice).

Next week’s show: Reap The Sleep - Insights into sleep, and sleep disorders.

 

 #89: Policy for Neurology, Installment #6 [23:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (594)

Policy for Neurology - Plans and strategies impacting your patients and your practice

Hear these reports:

• Bush Issues Second Stem Cell Veto
• AARP To Offer Health Insurance
• ALS Registry Legislation Introduced
• MD’s Call For More Funding For Disaster Planning
• More Medical Schools, Slots Needed To Fill Md Shortage
• Small Practices Decline
• AMA: Investigate Store Clinics
• Pay For Reporting Programmed Launched In July
• Federal Team Arrests 38 For Medicare Billing Fraud
• CMS Projects Medicare Fee Cut Of 9.9% In 2008

Weblinks:

• ABC survey shows essentially 70% of Americans support stem cell research.
• Military service linked to ALS.
• ALS caused by toxic brain levels of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate.

Next week’s show: Infection-Inflammation: Calor, Dolor, Rubor, Tumor for the 21st century Neurologist (7th installment).

 

 #63 - Vulnerability in Neurology, Installment #4 [28:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (573)

Potential challenges for neurologists on the clinical front lines. Installment #4.

Publication Date: Mar 30th, 2007.

1. Thimerosal Haunts Flu Shot Recommendations: The ‘jury is still out’ on the issue of thimerosal and autism, but there are plans to expand the recommended age range to receive annual flu shots - from the current 6 months to 5 years, to children up through age 18.
2. Is there a link between mobile phone use and gliomas? Overall, even among heavy and long-term users, the researchers found no link between cell phone use and gliomas, but certain users may be at risk.
3. The FDA eliminated two indications for the antibiotic telithromycin (Ketek), and added a black box warning to its label stating the drug is contraindicated in people with myasthenia gravis.
4. Data to date seem to suggest that the overall risk for Guillain-Barre syndrome following receipt of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine Menactra is not significantly increased.
5. A federal jury recently convicted a New Jersey physician (and her coconspirator) of defrauding patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Stem cell therapy was involved.
6. And last but not least: What happens when doctors attack…each other?

Show links: Environment, Health and Safety Online at www.ehso.com. A helpful website on the cell phone/brain tumor controversy.