The International journal of neuroscience
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Review Comparative Study
Spinal cord injury: reversing the incorrect cortical maps by inductive lability procedure.
Within the brain-stem and on the cerebral cortex there are locomotor control centers arranged in a ladder-form control system. These centers are somatotopic, self-organizing neural network maps capable of simultaneously learning and task execution. ⋯ The treatment method based on inductive lability procedure (Krishnan, 2003a, 2003b, 2003c) uses botulinum toxin for the purpose. It recreates competition among synapses in a locomotor training-based corrective re-self-organization of the maps in various steps of the ladder.
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In spinal cord injury, recovery of function, if any, confirms the presence of survived neural tissue at the injury site. However, recovery several years after the injury remains unexplained. ⋯ The new exercise regimens have not addressed this essential prerequisite; this could perhaps explain the long delays in recovery. We recommend that inclusion of inductive lability procedure (Krishnan, 1983, 1991, 2003) will help hasten and enhance the recovery.
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We give a brief history and development of the use of analgesic nitrous oxide in various clinical situations, emphasizing the very important difference between analgesic and anesthetic concentrations of the gas. We give evidence for the opioid nature of analgesic nitrous oxide and the probable role that these opioid properties play in its clinical effects. ⋯ These opposing systems appear to be particularly important during addictive withdrawal. We also discuss the possible relationship existing between nitric and nitrous oxide.
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Review Case Reports
Resolution of Lhermitte's sign in multiple sclerosis by treatment with weak electromagnetic fields.
Lhermitte's sign, the occurrence of an electrical sensation passing down the back to the legs on flexion of the neck is a common and characteristic feature of multiple sclerosis (MS) which is related to spinal cord lesions affecting the posterior columns and cervical nerve roots. The Lhermitte's sign, which has been reported to occur at some time in up to 25% of MS patients, is seldom painful but is often a cause of distress to the patient and usually a marker of increased disease activity. Treatment with extracranial picotesla range pulsed electromagnetic fields (EMFs) has been found efficacious in the management of various MS symptoms including pain syndromes. ⋯ As the cause of the Lhermitte's sign is thought to result from the spread of ectopic excitation in demyelinated plaques in the cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal cord, it is hypothesized that the effects of EMFs are related to the reduction of axonal excitability via a mechanism involving changes in ionic membrane permeability. A systemic effect on pain control systems is also postulated to occur secondary to the effects of EMFs on neurotransmitter activity and pineal melatonin functions. This report underscores the efficacy of picotesla EMFs in the management of paroxysmal pain symptoms in MS.
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Immunoendocrinology is a rapidly expanding field, uncovering numerous bilateral interactions between the immune system and neuroendocrine circuits. Various hormones and neurotransmitters appear to modulate cells of the immune system and likewise cytokines control the function of neuroendocrine system. In the present paper, we discuss some lines of evidence indicating that an immunoendocrine feedback loop, which we term 'immune-hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal system' is an integral part of the regulation of self tolerance. The finding that pathology of this immunoendocrine feedback loop is related to development of autoimmunity may lead to new prophylactic and therapeutic strategies.