Lake forest health and fitness: September 2015

Wednesday, 30 September 2015

Musicians’ brains fire symmetrically when they listen to music

Proficiency with a musical instrument doesn't just change the structure of the brain – it also changes the way we hear music

via New Scientist - Health Read More Here..

WHO: Number of people over 60 years set to double by 2050; major societal changes required

With advances in medicine helping more people to live longer lives, the number of people over the age of 60 is expected to double by 2050 and will require radical societal change, according to a new report released by the WHO for the International Day of Older Persons (1 October).

“Today, most people, even in the poorest countries, are living longer lives,” says Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO. “But this is not enough. We need to ensure these extra years are healthy, meaningful and dignified. Achieving this will not just be good for older people, it will be good for society as a whole.” via WHO news Read More Here..

VIDEO: The challenges for a Kenyan paramedic

Lack of an effective national ambulance service in Kenya has seen private firms and organisations take the lead in providing medical emergency services across the country. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Higher-Protein Diet May Help Some with Type 2 Diabetes

Study finds benefit for those with gene variant related to vitamin D metabolism

Source: HealthDay
Related MedlinePlus Pages: Diabetes Type 2, Diets, Weight Control via MedlinePlus Health News Read More Here..

More Than 670 Illnesses Reported in Latest Salmonella Outbreak

Three deaths have also been linked to tainted cucumbers, CDC officials report

Source: HealthDay
Related MedlinePlus Pages: Foodborne Illness, Salmonella Infections via MedlinePlus Health News Read More Here..

Surgery Patients Like Online Follow-Up, Study Finds

But sometimes an in-person check still needed, researchers add

Source: HealthDay
Related MedlinePlus Pages: After Surgery, Talking With Your Doctor via MedlinePlus Health News Read More Here..

Video Games May Make Women Pile Up More Than Points

Study suggests they tend to gain weight while gaming, but men don't

Source: HealthDay
Related MedlinePlus Pages: Obesity, Women's Health via MedlinePlus Health News Read More Here..

Some More Vulnerable to Nicotine Addiction Than Others

Finding has implications for prevention and treatment as use of electronic cigarettes grows, researcher says

Source: HealthDay
Related MedlinePlus Page: Smoking via MedlinePlus Health News Read More Here..

Blood Tests May Predict Pregnancy Risks for Women with Lupus

As early as 12 weeks, checks can signal danger of complications for both mother and baby, study contends

Source: HealthDay
Related MedlinePlus Pages: Health Problems in Pregnancy, Laboratory Tests, Lupus via MedlinePlus Health News Read More Here..

Dieters: Don't Replace Saturated Fats with Processed Carbs

Study found those who turned to whole grains and healthy fats saw a drop in heart risks

Source: HealthDay
Related MedlinePlus Pages: Carbohydrates, Dietary Fats, Diets via MedlinePlus Health News Read More Here..

More Evidence High-Fiber, Mediterranean Diet Is Good for You

Plant-based regimens can boost fatty acids that lower your risk for diabetes, heart disease, study says

Source: HealthDay
Related MedlinePlus Pages: Dietary Fats, Diets, Nutrition via MedlinePlus Health News Read More Here..

Smog Linked to Organ Rejection, Deaths in Lung Transplant Patients

But some antibiotics seem to reduce the risk, researchers find

Source: HealthDay
Related MedlinePlus Pages: Air Pollution, Antibiotics, Lung Transplantation via MedlinePlus Health News Read More Here..

Toppling TVs a Risk to Kids

Three-fourths of injuries occurred when children weren't closely supervised, study finds

Source: HealthDay
Related MedlinePlus Pages: Child Safety, Head Injuries via MedlinePlus Health News Read More Here..

Womb transplants get go-ahead in the UK: What you need to know

From next year, 10 women will receive a donated uterus as part of a clinical trial, following the success of a similar trial in Sweden. How does it work?

via New Scientist - Health Read More Here..

Treat all people living with HIV, offer antiretrovirals as additional prevention choice for people at "substantial" risk

Anyone infected with HIV should begin antiretroviral treatment as soon after diagnosis as possible, WHO announced Wednesday. With its "treat-all" recommendation, WHO removes all limitations on eligibility for antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people living with HIV; all populations and age groups are now eligible for treatment.

The expanded use of antiretroviral treatment is supported by recent findings from clinical trials confirming that early use of ART keeps people living with HIV alive, healthier and reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to partners. via WHO news Read More Here..

UK to expand trials of womb transplants

Regulators grant ethical permission for trials involving 10 transplants to start next spring

Related items from OnMedica

The pill could give long-term protection against womb cancer
One in 10 fresh IVF cycles use donated egg and sperm
Personalised test could fine tune IVF treatment
Lords approve mitochondrial donation
Doctors urge people to discuss organ donation

via OnMedica News Read More Here..

WHO backs 'treat-all' HIV drug plan

Everyone who has HIV should be offered antiretroviral drugs as soon as possible after diagnosis, the World Health Organisation says. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Seven-day GP service must not endanger normal access

Sunday teatime ear syringing not best use of NHS resources, say GP leaders

Related items from OnMedica

Health Secretary gives doctors ultimatum on seven-day service
Finance crisis sparks doubts over seven-day NHS
BMA challenges Cameron on seven-day working
Fears that tenth of GP roles in England are vacant
Most patients happy with GPs – and opening hours

via OnMedica News Read More Here..

High-quality carbs and unsaturated fats lower heart risks

Fibre-rich foods associated with rise in health-promoting short-chain fatty acids

Related items from OnMedica

Breast cancer risk lower with Mediterranean diet plus oil
Even athletes can’t outrun the effects of a bad diet
Dietary calcium not linked to fracture risk
Vegetarians have lower bowel cancer risk than meat-eaters
Sugar not saturated fat is the major issue for CVD

via OnMedica News Read More Here..

Blood test identifies high-risk lupus pregnancies

First-trimester biomarkers reliable in spotting women who need greatest monitoring

Related items from OnMedica

No impact of antidepressants taken during pregnancy on child’s development
Advise a year between pregnancies after preterm birth
Scientists identify substance that protects against preterm birth
NICE might underestimate gestational diabetes
Adverse pregnancy outcomes far more likely in epilepsy

via OnMedica News Read More Here..

Dietary calcium not linked to fracture risk

No evidence that higher intake prevents fractures, only weak evidence for supplements

Related items from OnMedica

NHS Health Check waste of time and money, says study
Less regular PSA screening puts men at risk
Continue prescribing gluten-free foods on NHS, argue dieticians
Vegetarians have lower bowel cancer risk than meat-eaters
Governments must do more to fight alcohol harm says OECD

via OnMedica News Read More Here..

VIDEO: The British nurses who survived Ebola

British aid workers who risked their lives to save victims of the Ebola virus have been honoured for their efforts. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Sugary Beverages & Your Health

Source: HealthDay - Video

Related MedlinePlus Pages: Carbohydrates, Diabetes Type 2, Heart Diseases, Stroke via MedlinePlus Health News Read More Here..

VIDEO: Dengue fever outbreak in Delhi

The Indian capital Delhi is in the grip of the most severe outbreak of Dengue fever for years. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Tuesday, 29 September 2015

Genes protecting smokers’ health one of many UK Biobank findings

Those with a long smoking habit and good health might have their genes to thank – one of many findings emerging from a vast genetic resource

via New Scientist - Health Read More Here..

Rugby 'cold therapy' may not work

The Welsh Rugby team might want to ditch cryotherapy sessions ahead of their match against Fiji on Thursday, say medical experts who have evaluated this deep freeze treatment for tired muscles. via BBC News - Health Read More Here..

Music And Epilepsy, Part 2 – Music As Therapy

Approximately one-third of patients with epilepsy have a drug-resistant form of the disease. But even in cases where the pharmacological treatment is effective, it is common for side-effects of anti-epileptic drugs to arise, including skin rashes, dizziness, liver damage, psychiatric symptoms, cognitive impairment, and pregnancy-associated complications.

Surgery has a good rate of success in achieving long-term remission of epilepsy symptoms, but the number of patients undergoing surgery still represents a small percentage of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.

Therefore, alternative, non-pharmacological treatment options are sought after. Music therapy is one of them.

The “Mozart effect”

The therapeutic potential of music has been widely investigated in cognitive neuroscience. But in the specific case of epilepsy, this use of music as therapy is particularly fascinating due its dual effect.

As seen in Part 1 of the music and epilepsy diptych, on the one hand, music can induce seizures, in what is known as musicogenic epilepsy, but on the other hand, it may have a beneficial outcome, at least in some patients and with some specific melodies.

This ability of music in reducing neuronal discharges and in reducing seizures has been known for decades. The first studies used mainly pure tones or loud music stimulation to shorten the duration of seizures. But in 1998, Hughes and colleagues reported for the first time a therapeutic effect of Mozart’s music on patients with epilepsy; they demonstrated that Mozart’s Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major (K.448) exerted an acute effect on the amount of epileptic activity, both during and between seizures. They called it the “Mozart effect”.

Subsequently, various trials or case reports started using Mozart’s K.448 to reduce seizures, initially only in chronic epilepsy conditions, but recently also for acute epilepsy.

Beneficial effects of Mozart’s music have been reported even for patients who had already tried more than two types of antiepileptic drugs with no success; while drugs had failed to control their seizures, Mozart was able to significantly reduce or even completely abolish epileptic discharges.

The anti-epileptic effect of Mozart’s music has also been supported by animal studies, where it has been shown to reduce the frequency of spontaneous seizures in rats.

These studies were reviewed in a meta-analysis by Dastgheib and colleagues published in 2014 summarizing the effects of Mozart’s music on epilepsy. The authors found that 84% of the examined patients exhibited significantly reduced epileptic discharges following Mozart music therapy. Still, there have been some accounts of the opposite effect; in some cases, despite being a clear minority, Mozart’s music actually led to an increase in seizures.

But the positive effect of Mozart does not appear to be exclusive to that particular sonata. For example, recent studies have found that, in addition to Mozart’s K.448, also Mozart’s K.545 could reduce epileptic discharges.

The mechanisms of music’s effects

The mechanisms by which Mozart may act as an anticonvulsant are unknown. This effect has been attributed to fundamental elements of music such as its rhythmic structure and its lower harmonics. These characteristics may somehow activate neuronal networks by evoking neuronal patterns with anticonvulsant properties.

This is in line with computational studies showing that neuronal networks are differentially affected by different sound frequencies – certain frequencies have seizure-inducing effects, while others can prevent seizure activity.

This dual effect of music may also be connected to a dual effect of dopamine. Stimulation of dopamine D2 receptors appears to be anticonvulsant, whereas dopamine D1 receptor activation appears to lower the seizure threshold both clinically and in animal models.

It is possible that music exposure may lead to a dopamine release and, consequently, to an upregulation and activation of D2 receptors, thereby acting as an anticonvulsant. By opposition, the proconvulsant effect of music, as seen in musicogenic epilepsy, may occur as a result of an emotional response – through increased release of dopamine in the prefrontal cortex, limbic dopamine responses may be suppressed, leading to the propagation of seizures.

Music and motor systems

An alternative (or complementary) explanation lies in the link between music and motor systems. Motor system modulation has been observed to change during auditory stimulation. The connection between music and motor function is evident in all facets of musical activity: dancing requires movement; playing musical instruments requires specific movements; singing requires moving our mouth and larynx.

In EEG studies evaluating the impact of cognitive tasks on the onset of seizures, it was found that tasks involving motor pathways were more likely to induce seizures, whereas spatial thinking tasks (calculations) produced an antiepileptic effect.

It has been proposed that music, language and motor functions may have a common neuronal substrate. This is supported by studies of language disorders where children with dyslexia, for example, show specific associated music, motor and language impairments that are improved with music lessons.

These music-related motor and language skills appear to be able to modulate the activity of the mirror neuron system. The mirror neuron system has been associated with numerous functions including action and intention understanding, language, self-awareness, and emotion; it may be able to integrate and process these different modalities of information, giving them meaning and emotion.

There is growing evidence that music plays a role in cognitive development, emotion regulation and social interaction. The human mirror neuron system has been proposed to underlie some of those effects, linking music perception, cognition and emotion. Music can invoke motor representations of emotions by recruiting the insula, a neural relay between the limbic and motor systems. Action, language and music appear to share neuronal pathways, and it has been proposed that the common features of these functions may be represented within the mirror neuron system.

These proposed mechanisms of music therapy are still highly theoretical. Nevertheless, it is possible that music therapy may provide a new non-invasive, non-pharmacological treatment for epilepsy.

References

Dastgheib SS, Layegh P, Sadeghi R, Foroughipur M, Shoeibi A, & Gorji A (2014). The effects of Mozart’s music on interictal activity in epileptic patients: systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature. Current neurology and neuroscience reports, 14 (1) PMID: 24272274

Hughes JR, Daaboul Y, Fino JJ, & Shaw GL (1998). The “Mozart effect” on epileptiform activity. Clinical EEG (electroencephalography), 29 (3), 109-19 PMID: 9660010

Liao H, Jiang G, & Wang X (2015). Music therapy as a non-pharmacological treatment for epilepsy. Expert review of neurotherapeutics, 15 (9), 993-1003 PMID: 26196169

Lin LC, Juan CT, Chang HW, Chiang CT, Wei RC, Lee MW, Mok HK, & Yang RC (2013). Mozart K.448 attenuates spontaneous absence seizure and related high-voltage rhythmic spike discharges in Long Evans rats. Epilepsy research, 104 (3), 234-40 PMID: 23395627

Lin LC, Lee MW, Wei RC, Mok HK, Wu HC, Tsai CL, & Yang RC (2012). Mozart k.545 mimics mozart k.448 in reducing epileptiform discharges in epileptic children. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2012 PMID: 23304207

Maguire M (2015). Music and its association with epileptic disorders. Progress in brain research, 217, 107-27 PMID: 25725912

Image via jeffy11390 / Shutterstock.

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