Brain research
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Neuropathic pain has been described as the "most terrible of all tortures which a nerve wound may inflict" and arises as a consequence of nerve injury either of the peripheral or central nervous system. Following peripheral nerve injury, a cascade of events in the primary afferents leads to peripheral sensitization resulting in spontaneous nociceptor activity, decreased threshold and increased response to supra-threshold stimuli. ⋯ The peripheral nerve injury has been reported to induce neuroplastic changes in different brain regions including the anterior cingulate cortex, insular cortex, ventrolateral orbitofrontal area, amygdala, striatum, thalamus, hypothalamus, rostral ventromedial medulla, periaqueductal gray, pons (locus coeruleus), red nucleus, and medulla oblongata. The present review article discusses the involvement of these different brain areas in the development of peripheral nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain.
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Anxiety symptoms are one of the most common mental health conditions in childhood. Children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are at risk for developing mental health symptoms and anxiety in particular, especially when compared with their peers - both in the general population as well as when compared to youth with other developmental disabilities. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) has been identified as the treatment of choice in addressing anxiety symptoms in the general population, and an emerging body of literature indicates that modified CBT for youth with ASD can be effective in reducing anxiety symptoms. ⋯ However, the majority of these studies only briefly describe the parent's role, and little mention is made with regard to how the parent's role evolves over time as children age into adolescence. In this paper, the parent's role in the treatment of anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents with high-functioning ASD will be discussed with a particular emphasis on considerations for parents of teenagers. Specific recommendations for parent involvement will be provided.