Dr. Howard Smith Reports

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/YB7O_b3T2bs

This warning comes from neurologists and ethicists at Vancouver’s University of British Columbia.  Searching online, they found 19 brain stimulating devices and 22 measuring devices with mind links that are currently being hawked and directly sold to the general public.

We’re talking about so-called transcranial direct current stimulation devices, galvanic biofeedback units, brain-sensing headbands, brain trainers, and stress balancing bracelets.  The list goes on and on.  They aren’t cheap costing as much as $500.

The advertising claims for these products make a variety of promises including increased concentration, better sleep, relaxation, enhanced self-awareness, mood elevation, better memory, and enhanced physical as well as mental performance.  A total of 20 unique claims were made for 41 devices being sold.

Only 8 of the devices had even scientific support from legitimate, published scientific studies.  In many case, studies offered support for a given technology, but there was no direct evidence that the device being marketed was effective.

Then add to the shaky scientific underpinnings that fact that many devices come with poor instructions and no safeguards against improper consumer use.  All in all, these devices can be classified as ripoffs or dangerous.  Don’t waste your money or risk your health.

Iris Coates McCall, Chloe Lau, Nicole Minielly, Judy Illes.  Owning Ethical Innovation: Claims about Commercial Wearable Brain Technologies.  Neuron.  VOLUME 102, ISSUE 4, P728-731, MAY 22, 2019.  DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2019.03.026

#TDCS #brainstimulation #selfhelp

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/YB7O_b3T2bs

This warning comes from neurologists and ethicists at Vancouver’s University of British Columbia.  Searching online, they found 19 brain stimulating devices and 22 measuring devices with mind links that are currently being hawked and directly sold to the general public.

We’re talking about so-called transcranial direct current stimulation devices, galvanic biofeedback units, brain-sensing headbands, brain trainers, and stress balancing bracelets.  The list goes on and on.  They aren’t cheap costing as much as $500.

The advertising claims for these products make a variety of promises including increased concentration, better sleep, relaxation, enhanced self-awareness, mood elevation, better memory, and enhanced physical as well as mental performance.  A total of 20 unique claims were made for 41 devices being sold.

Only 8 of the devices had even scientific support from legitimate, published scientific studies.  In many case, studies offered support for a given technology, but there was no direct evidence that the device being marketed was effective.

Then add to the shaky scientific underpinnings that fact that many devices come with poor instructions and no safeguards against improper consumer use.  All in all, these devices can be classified as ripoffs or dangerous.  Don’t waste your money or risk your health.

Iris Coates McCall, Chloe Lau, Nicole Minielly, Judy Illes.  Owning Ethical Innovation: Claims about Commercial Wearable Brain Technologies.  Neuron.  VOLUME 102, ISSUE 4, P728-731, MAY 22, 2019.  DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2019.03.026

#TDCS #brainstimulation #selfhelp

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/JY5nRSzsOdw

If you sleep less than 7 hours each night, you are deficient in the microRNA regulators that permit your genes to refresh your heart tissues and maintain good vascular health.  This warning stems from work at the University of Colorado at Boulder that studied 24 healthy middle-aged men and women measuring their microRNA concentrations and tabulating their sleep.

The group that clocked only 5 to 6.8 hours of sleep a night had 40 to 60% lower levels of the microRNAs that regulate inflammation, immunity, and vascular stability when compared to those sleeping 7 to 8.5 hours a night.  The 7 hour threshold seems to be a constant, and the study investigators cannot yet explain why.

So, if you want to keep your heart and the blood vessels that feed all your vital organs healthy, get those ZZZs.

Jamie G. Hijmans, Ma'ayan Levy, Vinicius Garcia, Grace M. Lincenberg, Kyle J. Diehl, Jared J. Greiner, Brian L. Stauffer, Christopher A. DeSouza. Insufficient sleep is associated with a pro‐atherogenic circulating microRNA signature. Experimental Physiology, 2019; DOI: 10.1113/EP087469

#Sleep #heart #coronary arteries #carotid arteries #microRNA

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/JY5nRSzsOdw

If you sleep less than 7 hours each night, you are deficient in the microRNA regulators that permit your genes to refresh your heart tissues and maintain good vascular health.  This warning stems from work at the University of Colorado at Boulder that studied 24 healthy middle-aged men and women measuring their microRNA concentrations and tabulating their sleep.

The group that clocked only 5 to 6.8 hours of sleep a night had 40 to 60% lower levels of the microRNAs that regulate inflammation, immunity, and vascular stability when compared to those sleeping 7 to 8.5 hours a night.  The 7 hour threshold seems to be a constant, and the study investigators cannot yet explain why.

So, if you want to keep your heart and the blood vessels that feed all your vital organs healthy, get those ZZZs.

Jamie G. Hijmans, Ma'ayan Levy, Vinicius Garcia, Grace M. Lincenberg, Kyle J. Diehl, Jared J. Greiner, Brian L. Stauffer, Christopher A. DeSouza. Insufficient sleep is associated with a pro‐atherogenic circulating microRNA signature. Experimental Physiology, 2019; DOI: 10.1113/EP087469

#Sleep #heart #coronary arteries #carotid arteries #microRNA

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/1XFfgZZr-ZU

At least half of those seen in the ED and diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury are left with significant functional limitations at one year post-injury.  This surprising statistic comes from a nationwide, multi-center study just published in JAMA Neurology.

Those with positive findings on brain CT had a 61% incidence of long-term disability.  But even those with negative findings on the CT had. 49% incidence of continuing issues.

This result suggests that even patients with seemingly mild traumatic brain injuries must be followed carefully post-injury in order to detect problems and promptly provide rehabilitation therapy.  The finding also adds to the many studies of chronic traumatic encephalopathy that suggest there is no such thing as a mild brain injury.

Nelson LD, Temkin NR, Dikmen S, et al. Recovery After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Patients Presenting to US Level I Trauma Centers: A Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in Traumatic Brain Injury (TRACK-TBI) Study. JAMA Neurol. Published online June 03, 2019. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2019.1313

#TBI #traumaticbraininjury #CTE

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/1XFfgZZr-ZU

At least half of those seen in the ED and diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury are left with significant functional limitations at one year post-injury.  This surprising statistic comes from a nationwide, multi-center study just published in JAMA Neurology.

Those with positive findings on brain CT had a 61% incidence of long-term disability.  But even those with negative findings on the CT had. 49% incidence of continuing issues.

This result suggests that even patients with seemingly mild traumatic brain injuries must be followed carefully post-injury in order to detect problems and promptly provide rehabilitation therapy.  The finding also adds to the many studies of chronic traumatic encephalopathy that suggest there is no such thing as a mild brain injury.

Nelson LD, Temkin NR, Dikmen S, et al. Recovery After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Patients Presenting to US Level I Trauma Centers: A Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in Traumatic Brain Injury (TRACK-TBI) Study. JAMA Neurol. Published online June 03, 2019. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2019.1313

#TBI #traumaticbraininjury #CTE

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/o-D_Vw8oCRA

Using a bit of formula to assist breastfeeding and trigger a healthy weight gain has for years been considered a no-no.  Lactation consultants advise that this use of formula destroys the child’s interest in breast feeding.

A study from the University of California - San Francisco now labels this warning an urban myth.  Pediatricians there and at Penn State studied some 164 babies suffering from significant  post-partum weight loss.  Half of the group received syringe-fed formula in addition to breastfeeding and the others continued with breastfeeding alone.

The results showed that, at 6 months, the formula-supplemented group of children were just as likely to be breastfeeding as the no formula group.  An added benefit to supplementation was the finding that those given formula were at lower risk for jaundice.

So if your newborn is struggling with weight gain immediately after birth, ask about formula supplementation.

Valerie J. Flaherman, Michael D. Cabana, Charles E. McCulloch, Ian M. Paul. Effect of Early Limited Formula on Breastfeeding Duration in the First Year of Life. JAMA Pediatrics, 2019; DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.1424

#Breastfeeding #formula #supplementation #jaundice

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/o-D_Vw8oCRA

Using a bit of formula to assist breastfeeding and trigger a healthy weight gain has for years been considered a no-no.  Lactation consultants advise that this use of formula destroys the child’s interest in breast feeding.

A study from the University of California - San Francisco now labels this warning an urban myth.  Pediatricians there and at Penn State studied some 164 babies suffering from significant  post-partum weight loss.  Half of the group received syringe-fed formula in addition to breastfeeding and the others continued with breastfeeding alone.

The results showed that, at 6 months, the formula-supplemented group of children were just as likely to be breastfeeding as the no formula group.  An added benefit to supplementation was the finding that those given formula were at lower risk for jaundice.

So if your newborn is struggling with weight gain immediately after birth, ask about formula supplementation.

Valerie J. Flaherman, Michael D. Cabana, Charles E. McCulloch, Ian M. Paul. Effect of Early Limited Formula on Breastfeeding Duration in the First Year of Life. JAMA Pediatrics, 2019; DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.1424

#Breastfeeding #formula #supplementation #jaundice

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/bOqsCE8pmJY

A new German study concludes that those on blood pressure control medications enjoyed a 10 to 25% lower incidence of dementia.  Researchers from the University of Leipzig studied a total of nearly 25,000 patients half of whom suffered from dementia and the other half served as matched controls.

All classes of anti-hypertension drugs were associated with a reduced incidence of dementia though angiotensin II receptor blockers had the greatest effect.  Additional studies will be necessary to discover the mechanisms and optimal use of medications.

Please remember that blood pressure monitoring and pro-active, preventive blood pressure control are indispensable to living a long, healthy life. now, your brain leading to dementia in such a way that effective  treatment is next to impossible.

Jens Bohlken, Louis Jacob, Karel Kostev. The Relationship Between the Use of Antihypertensive Drugs and the Incidence of Dementia in General Practices in Germany. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 2019; 1 DOI: 10.3233/JAD-190362

#Dementia #hypertension

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/bOqsCE8pmJY

A new German study concludes that those on blood pressure control medications enjoyed a 10 to 25% lower incidence of dementia.  Researchers from the University of Leipzig studied a total of nearly 25,000 patients half of whom suffered from dementia and the other half served as matched controls.

All classes of anti-hypertension drugs were associated with a reduced incidence of dementia though angiotensin II receptor blockers had the greatest effect.  Additional studies will be necessary to discover the mechanisms and optimal use of medications.

Please remember that blood pressure monitoring and pro-active, preventive blood pressure control are indispensable to living a long, healthy life. now, your brain leading to dementia in such a way that effective  treatment is next to impossible.

Jens Bohlken, Louis Jacob, Karel Kostev. The Relationship Between the Use of Antihypertensive Drugs and the Incidence of Dementia in General Practices in Germany. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 2019; 1 DOI: 10.3233/JAD-190362

#Dementia #hypertension