Linking Perfusion Levels in the Brain to Symptom Severity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by impaired social functioning, over-sensitivity to stimuli, and fixation on objects and routines (Bear et al, 2016). These symptoms are associated with changes in activity in certain parts of the brain, in comparison with typically developing children. One way of measuring activity in any given area…

The Role of TWEAK/Fn14 Signalling in the MPTP-Model of Parkinson’s Disease

In 1985, the discovery of a neurotoxin called 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) changed the lives of six Californians. The young people were recreation drug users, who happened to purchase a synthetic form of heroin that, unfortunately, caused them all to simultaneously develop Parkinson’s disease (Palfreman, 2014). Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder that attacks the nervous system (specifically…

The pain-relieving effects of Electroacupuncture for nerve related pain associated with chemotherapy treatment

Acupuncture has been shown to be very effective in the treatment of nerve-injury related pain such as sciatica and diabetic neuropathy(1, 2).  The effects of acupuncture are further enhanced when an electrical current is applied to specific pain-relieving acupoints (ST36).  Electroacupuncture (EA) stimulates the release of endorphins (the body’s natural relieving pain substances) and also…