Researchers at Kessler Foundation have published a new clinical protocol that examines the combination of aerobic exercise and cognitive rehabilitation to improve learning and memory in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have mobility disabilities.
“This trial represents a significant advancement in our understanding of how combined interventions can improve cognitive outcomes for individuals with MS,” stated Dr. Wender, the lead author of the study and a research scientist at the Centers for Multiple Sclerosis Research and Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Research at the Foundation. “By targeting the hippocampus using both cognitive and physical stimuli, we aim to offer more effective treatment options for individuals experiencing significant cognitive challenges due to MS,” she added. “The combination of exercise and cognitive rehabilitation has the potential to create synergistic effects, especially in individuals with advanced disease progression,” she concluded.
The article outlines the protocol for a Phase I/II, parallel-group, single-blind randomized controlled trial involving 78 participants with MS and mobility disability. The trial, called COMBINE (Combination Optimizes Memory Based on Imaging and Neuropsychological Endpoints), randomly assigns participants to either an aerobic cycling exercise with VR combined with KF-mSMT or a control group receiving stretching and toning exercises combined with KF-mSMT. The main outcomes measured include various aspects of new learning and memory, such as list learning, prose memory, and visuospatial memory, as well as neuroimaging outcomes focusing on hippocampal structure and function.
A national survey conducted as part of University of Exeter research has found significant variation in the treatment of ADHD, highlighting the challenges many young adults face after turning 18.
A national survey conducted as part of University of Exeter research has found significant variation in the treatment of ADHD, underscoring the challenges many young adults encounter once they reach 18.
Researchers have cautioned that the current system is failing many young adults as they transition from children’s to adult services. They suddenly find themselves unable to access treatment because services are not effectively linked up.
Over 750 individuals from around the country, including commissioners, healthcare professionals in primary care, and individuals with lived experience of ADHD, participated in the MAP National Survey. The survey sheds light on the challenges that GPs encounter when prescribing ADHD medication.
ADHD affects up to seven per cent of children and up to five per cent of adults. Symptoms include patterns of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and/or inattention, which interfere with daily functioning. Failing to treat ADHD and gaps in treatment, especially as young people grow into adults, can have severe impacts on patients and families. This increases the risk of mental health crises and difficulties with work, education, and relationships, adding pressure on health services.
The survey revealed differences in “shared care” agreements between GPs, mental health specialists, and patients, which are required for GPs to prescribe ADHD medications. This issue was especially problematic when young people transitioned to adult mental health services, indicating that the current system fails adolescents at a crucial stage in their lives. Current NICE guidelines advise GPs to prescribe medication for adult ADHD patients under a shared care agreement with adult mental health services.
The survey revealed that setting up agreements for prescribing ADHD medication may not always be easy. Evidence suggests that GPs may not feel well-supported to prescribe in this manner. If the appropriate support is not in place, some GPs may choose not to prescribe ADHD medication due to concerns about insurance and liability. This can be especially problematic for patients with a private ADHD diagnosis, leaving GPs unable to provide effective care and many patients without access to the medication they need.
Moreover, over 40 per cent of survey respondents reported waiting for two years or more for an appointment with adult mental health services. This places the responsibility of providing care on GPs without the necessary support to offer the best care for their patients during a critical time in their lives. This can involve restricting access to medication, even if the treatment was successful during childhood. Furthermore, access to treatment for ADHD is particularly challenging for certain underserved groups, such as young women and young people leaving care, leading to increased health disparities.
The survey results come just as NHS England has announced the establishment of a task force and a major review of ADHD services. As NHS England states, “People with ADHD deserve a caring and effective service from the NHS and wider society. We know there is more to do, but we do not underestimate the complexity and challenges in realizing this ambition.”
Dr Anna Price, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Exeter, emphasized the importance of a coordinated approach to address the disparities that create a postcode lottery for patients seeking treatment for ADHD. She stressed the need for improved support for GPs and other primary care professionals so they can offer shared care prescribing of ADHD medication in accordance with UK guidelines.
“We know that failing to treat ADHD can have a huge impact. Turning 18 is often a crucial and sensitive time in life, and our research shows that lack of treatment at this time can be particularly damaging for young people who are learning to self-manage their health needs, at the same time as perhaps sitting important exams, leaving home for the first time, and embarking on careers or university study.”
“We welcome the establishment of the NHS England taskforce, which is a much-needed step towards better outcomes for people with ADHD.”
The University of Exeter experts have recently established a Science of ADHD and Neurodevelopment collaboration. They are working with experienced experts and healthcare providers to develop solutions, such as curated digital interventions and standardized shared care agreement templates, to help people with ADHD thrive.
University of Utah engineers developed Diadem, a noninvasive device that stimulates deep brain regions to potentially disrupt faulty signals causing chronic pain. (Credit: University of Utah)
Pain is a necessary biological signal, but a variety of conditions can cause those signals to go awry. For people with chronic engineers at the University of Utah have developed Diadem, a noninvasive device that can stimulate deep brain regions to potentially disrupt faulty signals causing chronic pain. Chronic pain often arises from faulty signals deep within the brain, which can persist even after the original injury has healed or a limb has been amputated. The University of Utah’s new device, Diadem, has shown promising results in providing relief to participants after just one treatment session. The device uses ultrasound to noninvasively stimulate deep brain regions, potentially disrupting the faulty signals that lead to chronic pain
.A recent clinical trial published in the journal Pain showed that 60% of the participants who received real treatment reported a significant reduction in symptoms one day and one week after the treatment. This unexpected rapid onset of pain symptom improvements and their sustained nature open doors for applying these noninvasive treatments to many patients who are resistant to current treatments.
Diadem’s approach is based on neuromodulation, a therapeutic technique that directly regulates the activity of certain brain circuits. Unlike other neuromodulation approaches, Diadem’s ultrasound stimulation can selectively reach the specific brain structure known as the anterior cingulate cortex, which was the focus of the researchers’ recent trial. The team is now preparing for a Phase 3 clinical trial, the final step before seeking approval from the Food and Drug Administration to use Diadem as a treatment for the general public. They are actively looking to recruit participants for the upcoming trial, and they believe that with more help, chronic pain can be effectively silenced, potentially offering new treatment options to tackle the opioid crisis as well. If you or your relatives suffer from chronic pain that does not respond to current treatments, the research team encourages reaching out to them for potential participation in the trials.
Patients suffering from life-altering pain are constantly seeking new treatment options. A new device developed by the University of Utah may finally provide a practical, long-awaited solution.
At the core of this research is Diadem, a new biomedical device that uses ultrasound to noninvasively stimulate deep brain regions, potentially disrupting the faulty signals that lead to chronic pain.
The study was conducted by Jan Kubanek, a professor in Price’s Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Thomas Riis, a postdoctoral researcher in his lab. They collaborated with Akiko Okifuji, professor of Anesthesiology in the School of Medicine, as well as Daniel Feldman, a graduate student in the departments of Biomedical Engineering and Psychiatry, and Adam Losser, a laboratory technician.
“We did not anticipate such potent and immediate effects from just one treatment,” stated Riis.
“The rapid onset of the pain symptom improvements as well as their sustained nature is interesting, and opens doors for applying these non-invasive treatments to the many patients who are resistant to current treatments,” Kubanek added.
Please take note of the following text: Diadem’s approach is founded on neuromodulation, which is a therapeutic technique aiming to directly regulate the activity of specific brain circuits. While other neuromodulation methods rely on electric currents and magnetic fields, they are unable to selectively target the brain structure examined in the researchers’ recent trial: the anterior cingulate cortex.
Following an initial functional MRI scan to map the target region, the researchers adjusted Diadem’s ultrasound emitters to account for the way the waves deflect off the skull and other brain structures. This procedure was published in Nature Communications Engineering.
“If you or your relatives suffer from chronic pain that does not respond to treatments, please reach out to us. We need to recruit many participants so that these treatments can be approved for the general public,” Kubanek said. “With your help, we believe chronic pain can be effectively managed. Additionally, with new pain treatment options, we can help address the opioid crisis as well.”
Autism Burnout Recovery: 5 Tips for Managing Burnout. Hi everyone, in this video, I discuss autism burnout and provide tips for recovery for autistic individuals.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
