Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society
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Selective-afferent vagal nerve stimulation (sVNS) may be a treatment option for therapy-resistant hypertension, as it lowers blood pressure (BP) in rats without causing significant side effects. Alpha-2-agonists are widely used for the treatment of withdrawal, chronic pain and other disorders, and even if sVNS becomes a treatment option for therapy resistant hypertension, in some patients it might be necessary to combine sVNS with an alpha-2-agonist like clonidine. Alpha-2-agonists exhibit a central and peripheral mechanism of action. This study investigated the influence of the commonly used alpha-2-agonist clonidine on sVNS. ⋯ The effect of sVNS on BP is dampened by clonidine, but sVNS can still lower the BP in clonidine treated rats without causing significant bradycardia.
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Explore the primary characteristics of afferent noisy stimuli, which optimally activate locomotor patterns at low intensity. ⋯ Multifrequency protocols can support future studies in defining the most effective characteristics for electrical stimulation to reactivate stepping following motor injury.
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Scoliosis is commonly found in children with cerebral palsy. Many patients with cerebral palsy and scoliosis undergo intrathecal baclofen (ITB) pump placement. The authors report 2 cases with cerebral palsy and severe scoliosis treated with intrathecal baclofen. ⋯ The authors suggest that, in patients with severe scoliosis and shunted hydrocephalus, it may be necessary to place the tip of the catheter caudal to the curve of the scoliosis for correction of spasticity of lower extremities.
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Few studies have evaluated single-gene changes modulated by spinal cord stimulation (SCS), providing a narrow understanding of molecular changes. Genomics allows for a robust analysis of holistic gene changes in response to stimulation. ⋯ The process described provides highly significant interconnected genes and pathways responsive to injury and/or electric field in the SC and DRG. Genes in the SC respond significantly to the SCS in both injured and uninjured animals, while those in the DRG significantly responded to injury, and SCS in injured animals.