Can one shot keep alcoholics off alcohol?

The key to becoming a teetotaller might be a one-off shot of a different drug. Scientists say that a new treatment involving a shot of ketamine could help heavy drinkers substantially reduce alcohol consumption.

Ketamine, more commonly used as an anaesthetic and in animal tranquilisers, also finds popularity as a recreational drug. Now, scientists say that it can be used to "rewrite" drink-related memories, reports The Guardian. Possibly, in the future, this discovery could be developed into a new form of treatment for alcohol addiction.

The trial was led by a psychologist. The  Dr. says, "There was a really big drop-off, which was maintained or got even better up to nine months. I was surprised by how effective it was.”

According to the news, a growing body of evidence suggests that ketamine can be used to disrupt memories. Adapting that to addiction, the memories that drive harmful patterns of behaviour, researchers believe, can be influenced by ketamine. Thus, harmful habits and unhelpful memories can potentially be unlearned.

The study was conducted with 90 people who indulged in hazardous levels of drinking, but did not have a formal diagnosis of alcohol use disorder. They were drinking roughly 30 pints of beer per week. 

On the first day the participants were given a glass of beer that they were allowed to drink after viewing some images of beer and people drinking. 

The next day, while the same was promised, the beer was however taken away at the end.
Unexpected removal of an anticipated reward can temporarily disrupt learned associations. With ketamine however a brain receptor called NMDA can be blocked. This is necessary for the formation of memories.

Once the beer was taken away, a third of the participants were given an intravenous ketamine infusion, while others were given a placebo infusion. The third group got ketamine without a psychological intervention.

The researchers, over a 10-day follow up noted that people given ketamine along with psychological intervention showed significant reductions in their urge to drink as compared to the other participants.
The effect was sustained over a nine-month follow-up and it was noted that all three groups had reduced their drinking. Those given the ketamine therapy had a much more pronounced overall improvement

The research team now intends to apply for funding to carry out a clinical trial.

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Seizures may be predicted in people with epilepsy

Scientists have discovered a pattern of molecules that appear in the blood before seizures, which may lead to the development of an early warning system for epilepsy patients.

Researchers have discovered molecules in the blood that are higher in people with epilepsy before a seizure happens. These molecules are fragments of transfer RNAs (tRNAs), a chemical closely related to DNA that performs an important role in building proteins within the cell.

As per researchers involved in this study, tRNAs are cut into fragments when cells are stressed. Higher levels of the fragments in the blood could reflect that brain cells are under stress in the build-up to a seizure event.

Using blood samples from people with epilepsy, the researchers found that fragment levels of three tRNAs “spike” in the blood many hours before a seizure.

“People with epilepsy often report that one of the most difficult aspects of living with the disease is never knowing when a seizure will occur,” said an investigator, and the study’s lead author.

“The results of this study are very promising. We hope that our tRNA research will be a key first step toward developing an early warning system.”

The World Health Organisation estimates that more than 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy.

“New technologies to remove the unpredictability of uncontrolled seizures for people with epilepsy are a very real possibility,” said a co-author on the paper.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                  https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/  

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What Is Your Migraine Profile?

We all experience migraines differently. Hence, caring for a person who suffers from migraines requires an individualized approach. So, if you visit a neurologist or headache specialist for your migraines, they will likely delve into a discussion of various factors in order to sort your unique migraine profile. Here are some key issues your doctor will likely address: 

 

1. Age: This is a big factor when it comes to diagnosing and treating migraines. Particularly when it comes to children versus adults. Migraines in children share some features with migraines in adults, but, they also have their own unique features. For example, children tend to experience migraine pain on both sides of the head, while adults - just on one side. Along with migraine headaches, children tend to experience unique symptoms you don't typically find in adult migraine sufferers. These include: 
1. Abdominal pain
2. Osmophobia (sensitivity to smell)
3. Vertigo
4. Autonomic symptoms—runny nose, tearing eyes, facial sweating, etc.
Treating a migraine is different between adults and children. Some children and adolescents will not respond to typical adult migraine medication, like ibuprofen or certain tripants. Pediatric headache specialists focus on more unique migraine therapies, like minimizing stress through relaxation techniques and meditation, formulating a migraine action plan at school and ensuring proper sleep and eating schedules. 

2. Family History of Migraines: Migraines are hereditary, which means that the disorder tends to run in families. According to the doctors, if one or both of your parents suffer from a migraine, you have a 50% to 75% chance of suffering from migraines too. So, talking to family members who have migraines and finding out more about their attacks can be helpful, considering that migraines within the same family tend to share similar symptoms and triggers. It is also interesting to note that migraine medication that works for one family member often tend to work for other family members. So, after speaking with family members, share this information with your doctor. 
3. Migraine Pattern: Before going to your doctor's appointment, take down notes about the pattern of your migraines. Here are some pattern factors to consider:
Time of day: Take note if your migraines begin in the morning after waking up, afternoon, evening or the middle of the night.
Number of migraines: Take note of how many migraines you are experiencing - is it more than fifteen days per month? This indicates chronic migraine.
Associated symptoms: Do you experience nausea and/or vomiting with your migraines? And are these symptoms more or less debilitating than an actual migraine headache?
 

Aura: Do you experience a visual "aura" with your migraines?

Triggers: There are certain foods, weather changes, sleep deprivation, skipping meals and strenuous exercise which can trigger a migraine.
Hormone connection: Among women, migraines can occur prior to their menstruation, or may worsen or improve during pregnancy, perimenopause (transition into menopause) and so on. This can be extremely important for women. If a young woman notes her migraines are getting worse before menstruating, a doctor may prescribe continuous birth control pills, or a medication like Frova, taken five or six days prior to menstruation. If migraines are worsening because of menopause, hormone replacement therapy may be an option, particularly if the doctor suspects estrogen depletion as a culprit.  

4. Medication History: Migraine medications consist of two types of drugs: treatment and preventative. Determining what medications you have tried and what has worked or not worked for you is an important part of your migraine profile. 
5. Treatment Drugs: Your doctor may ask you about your migraine treatment medications, and these include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), triptan, a combination of NSAID/triptan, an herbal supplement, or do you wait for your migraine to pass on its own? Your doctor will also want to know how many times you take the medication per week, if it's at the onset of your migraine if it is tolerable and effective. By better understanding the nuances of your medication, your doctor will better be able to form a unique migraine profile. Perhaps, she will be able to decipher whether you may be suffering from medication overuse headache, in addition to your migraines, or if the side effects are limiting their use. 
6. Prevention Drugs: There are some migraine preventative medications, including blood pressure medication, called Inderal, an antidepressant called Elavil, and an anti-seizure medication called Topamax, among others, are full of side effects and require months before a benefit is seen. Botox is also a reasonable option for chronic migraine therapies, approved by the government for treating episodic and chronic migraines. Aimovig (erenumab); Ajovi (fremanezumab); Emgality (galcanezumab) are injectables, targeting a protein that plays a major role in migraine pathogenesis, called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). These drugs have many advantages, but they are only approved if a person has not tolerated prior preventive medications. 

7. Underlying Medical Conditions: Your medical history is a major factor when considering your migraine care. For instance, compare a healthy person suffering from migraines, versus a person with multiple medical problems like uncontrolled high blood pressure and kidney disease. Even if they do share similar migraine symptoms and disabilities, the treatment plan will differ based on these underlying medical problems. A thoughtful discussion with your doctor is required when sorting out a person's migraines from alternative or additional symptoms. It is also possible, that what people consider to be their usual migraines, are actually headaches occurring as a result of another condition, such as sleep apnea, high blood pressure, or thyroid disease. Certain health conditions, like obesity, may also worsen your migraines.  
8. Lifestyle: Your daily habits and general lifestyle can affect your migraine experience, be they triggers, contributors, or interacting with therapies. Your doctor may want to know if you consume caffeine or alcohol on a weekly basis, whether you exercise, and what your usual daily meal plan is like. They may ask if you engage in mind-body therapies, like yoga or meditation, and what medication you take, including supplements and vitamins. They'll also want to know if you see a primary care physician regularly. 

Whatever may be causing your migraines, know that it is important to see a headache specialist, just be sure to write down the factors that comprise your personal migraine profile and know that there is no right or wrong feeling or answer. The best thing to do is to be honest. 

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                
 PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                                             FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                               
     https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/                                                                                     
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Exercise can alter your DNA

Exercise - even in small doses – can alter your DNA, slashing the risk of obesity and diabetes, according to a new study.

The study shows the positive effects of exercise, because the epigenetic pattern of genes that affect fat storage in the body changes.

The cells of the body contain DNA, which contains genes. We inherit our genes and they cannot be changed. The genes, however, have 'methyl groups' attached which affect what is known as 'gene expression' - whether the genes are activated or deactivated. The methyl groups can be influenced in various ways, through exercise, diet and lifestyle, in a process known as 'DNA methylation'. This is epigenetics, a relatively new research field that in recent years has attracted more and more attention.

In the study, the researchers investigated what happened to the methyl groups in the fat cells of 23 slightly overweight, healthy men aged around 35 who had not previously engaged in any physical activity, when they regularly attended spinning and aerobics classes over a six-month period. "They were supposed to attend three sessions a week, but they went on average 1.8 times," said the researchers.

Using technology that analyses 480 000 positions throughout the genome, they could see that epigenetic changes had taken place in 7,000 genes (an individual has 20-25 000 genes). They then went on to look specifically at the methylation in genes linked to type 2 diabetes and obesity.

They found changes in those genes too, which suggests that altered DNA methylation as a result of physical activity could be one of the mechanisms of how these genes affect the risk of disease,  adding that this has never before been studied in fat cells and that they now have a map of the DNA methylome in fat.

In the laboratory, the researchers were able to confirm the findings in vitro (studying cell cultures in test tubes) by deactivating certain genes and thus reducing their expression. This resulted in changes in fat storage in fat cells. 

ps- this is only for information, always consult you physician before having any particular food/ medication/exercise/other remedies.

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