Pub Date : 2021-09-18DOI: 10.26420/austinneurolneurosci.2021.1026
Meghdari A F
One of the main challenges in social and cognitive research is relevant to our understanding of how to perceive and interact with others in the world around us. With the dramatic growth of emerging technologies in our societies, such as social robots, computer graphic generated avatars, and virtual reality devices, the complexity of this challenge is growing. As a result, interdisciplinary educators and researchers strive to determine the extent neurocognitive mechanisms, which support human interaction with artificial agents and tools, have evolved. Hence, a growing number of researchers working within the field of social robotics and engineering are engaged in collaboration with other scientists to utilize their expertise in social cognition, neuroscience, linguistics, and psychology with mutual interests that benefits naturally developing children as well as children with some form of disability and/or illness (i.e. Kids with: autism, cancer, deafness/hearing loss, down syndrome, diabetes, etc.). With the advancement of robotics technology, robots applications have been extended to more general-purpose practices in society such as: the use of robots in clinical and rehabilitation, nursing and elderly care, search and rescue operations, etc. However, for robotics technology to be successful in such environments it is necessary to gain new levels of strength, robustness, physical skills, and improved cognitive ability and intelligence. One faces many challenges on the path to design and construction of social-cognitive robots, the biggest is to build robots that comply with the needs and expectations of the human mind. How we communicate with machines with a higher quality physical and life-like appearance would differ with the way we interact with a computer, cell phone, or other smart devices. Therefore, as a follow up to the classical view of robotic systems, “socially interactive robots” with the capability of engaging social scenarios and interacting with humans have recently become a trendy and upto- date topic. In recent years, the impacts of employing social robots as teaching assistants on enhancing learners’ achievements notably in children with special needs were investigated by various researchers. In addition, these robots can be effectively employed in diverse healthcare applications. For instance, the positive effects of utilizing social robots in decreasing the distress level of children with cancer through establishing affective connection with patients was highlighted. Furthermore, they have been successfully utilized to improve the imitation skills of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which is known to be one of the core symptoms. In addition, social robots have been designed to play an assistive role in expanding the communication level of deaf and ordinary children in teaching them Sign Language. For instance, it has been noted that for social robots to achieve success in their mission, adaptive user interfaces l
{"title":"Socially Assistive Robots Serving Children with Special Needs (Autism, Cancer, Deafness/Hearing Loss)","authors":"Meghdari A F","doi":"10.26420/austinneurolneurosci.2021.1026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26420/austinneurolneurosci.2021.1026","url":null,"abstract":"One of the main challenges in social and cognitive research is relevant to our understanding of how to perceive and interact with others in the world around us. With the dramatic growth of emerging technologies in our societies, such as social robots, computer graphic generated avatars, and virtual reality devices, the complexity of this challenge is growing. As a result, interdisciplinary educators and researchers strive to determine the extent neurocognitive mechanisms, which support human interaction with artificial agents and tools, have evolved. Hence, a growing number of researchers working within the field of social robotics and engineering are engaged in collaboration with other scientists to utilize their expertise in social cognition, neuroscience, linguistics, and psychology with mutual interests that benefits naturally developing children as well as children with some form of disability and/or illness (i.e. Kids with: autism, cancer, deafness/hearing loss, down syndrome, diabetes, etc.). With the advancement of robotics technology, robots applications have been extended to more general-purpose practices in society such as: the use of robots in clinical and rehabilitation, nursing and elderly care, search and rescue operations, etc. However, for robotics technology to be successful in such environments it is necessary to gain new levels of strength, robustness, physical skills, and improved cognitive ability and intelligence. One faces many challenges on the path to design and construction of social-cognitive robots, the biggest is to build robots that comply with the needs and expectations of the human mind. How we communicate with machines with a higher quality physical and life-like appearance would differ with the way we interact with a computer, cell phone, or other smart devices. Therefore, as a follow up to the classical view of robotic systems, “socially interactive robots” with the capability of engaging social scenarios and interacting with humans have recently become a trendy and upto- date topic. In recent years, the impacts of employing social robots as teaching assistants on enhancing learners’ achievements notably in children with special needs were investigated by various researchers. In addition, these robots can be effectively employed in diverse healthcare applications. For instance, the positive effects of utilizing social robots in decreasing the distress level of children with cancer through establishing affective connection with patients was highlighted. Furthermore, they have been successfully utilized to improve the imitation skills of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which is known to be one of the core symptoms. In addition, social robots have been designed to play an assistive role in expanding the communication level of deaf and ordinary children in teaching them Sign Language. For instance, it has been noted that for social robots to achieve success in their mission, adaptive user interfaces l","PeriodicalId":92178,"journal":{"name":"Austin neurology & neurosciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47625590","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-07-21DOI: 10.26420/austinneurolneurosci.2021.1025
Beran Rg
Introduction: This paper outlines and explains a new approach to informed consent, especially within clinical trials. Background: Autonomy implies the patient has control for what happens to his/her body. There is a problem with lack of equipoise between clinician and patient, especially when the clinician, conducting a trial, is also the patient’s physician. Beran et al adopted a novel approach to informed consent, especially within clinical trials. The patient is introduced to the trial coordinator who assumes responsibility of discussing the nature, risks and benefits of the trial. If the patient accepts and signs the informed consent document, with the coordinator, the doctor counter-signs it, offering the opportunity to ask further questions, criticize the process and feel confident that the decision was correct. Discussion: Where the investigator is also the patient’s treating clinician, it must be recognized that there might be a perception of potential coercion, asking a patient to join a trial. The practice employed a trial coordinator, a recent university, science graduate, a young person with less influence over the patient. Patients completed the bulk of the informed consent with the trial coordinator, given every opportunity to decline inclusion into a trial. With the trial coordinator, being responsible for discussing the elements of the trial, there is a reduced potential for undue influence, with ultimate respect for autonomy and selfdetermination. This procedure offers a novel approach to gain informed consent for inclusion in clinical trials with the doctor retaining ultimate responsibility, for informed consent, and countersigning the consent document.
{"title":"Informed Consent, the Ethical Cornerstone of Medical Intervention, Especially within the Conduct of Clinical Trials","authors":"Beran Rg","doi":"10.26420/austinneurolneurosci.2021.1025","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26420/austinneurolneurosci.2021.1025","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: This paper outlines and explains a new approach to informed consent, especially within clinical trials. Background: Autonomy implies the patient has control for what happens to his/her body. There is a problem with lack of equipoise between clinician and patient, especially when the clinician, conducting a trial, is also the patient’s physician. Beran et al adopted a novel approach to informed consent, especially within clinical trials. The patient is introduced to the trial coordinator who assumes responsibility of discussing the nature, risks and benefits of the trial. If the patient accepts and signs the informed consent document, with the coordinator, the doctor counter-signs it, offering the opportunity to ask further questions, criticize the process and feel confident that the decision was correct. Discussion: Where the investigator is also the patient’s treating clinician, it must be recognized that there might be a perception of potential coercion, asking a patient to join a trial. The practice employed a trial coordinator, a recent university, science graduate, a young person with less influence over the patient. Patients completed the bulk of the informed consent with the trial coordinator, given every opportunity to decline inclusion into a trial. With the trial coordinator, being responsible for discussing the elements of the trial, there is a reduced potential for undue influence, with ultimate respect for autonomy and selfdetermination. This procedure offers a novel approach to gain informed consent for inclusion in clinical trials with the doctor retaining ultimate responsibility, for informed consent, and countersigning the consent document.","PeriodicalId":92178,"journal":{"name":"Austin neurology & neurosciences","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46938031","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-06-03DOI: 10.26420/austinneurol.2021.1016
Laskar Yb, Laskar Ih, Gulzar Abm, V. Uk, Bhattacharjee N, Mazumder Pb, Bawari M
Plants constituents are a reliable source of the remedial need of humanity for ages by being the basis of the traditional medicinal system and often serving as the prototype for designing modern medicine. Several plants are used in traditional medicine for ages without proper administration guidelines in terms of dosages. Several toxicological analyses revealed side-effects of such therapies beyond a specific dose. One such plant is Alstonia scholaris, widely used in numerous traditional medicines to treat diseases like ulcers, asthma, diabetes, etc. The present study investigated the neurotoxic effect of the plant extract through oxidative stress in Swiss albino mice. The treated mice showed anxiety, neophobic and depression-like properties compared to control mice. The biochemical parameters show an increase in Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration while decreasing the total protein content in different brain regions of treated mice. The Glutathione Reductase (GR) activity shows an increase in treated mice compared to the control one. The study indicates that Alstonia scholaris may cause severe damage to the central nervous system when administered without a proper guideline.
{"title":"Popular Ethnomedicinal Plant Alstonia scholaris Induces Neurotoxicity-Related Behavioural Changes in Swiss Albino Mice","authors":"Laskar Yb, Laskar Ih, Gulzar Abm, V. Uk, Bhattacharjee N, Mazumder Pb, Bawari M","doi":"10.26420/austinneurol.2021.1016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26420/austinneurol.2021.1016","url":null,"abstract":"Plants constituents are a reliable source of the remedial need of humanity for ages by being the basis of the traditional medicinal system and often serving as the prototype for designing modern medicine. Several plants are used in traditional medicine for ages without proper administration guidelines in terms of dosages. Several toxicological analyses revealed side-effects of such therapies beyond a specific dose. One such plant is Alstonia scholaris, widely used in numerous traditional medicines to treat diseases like ulcers, asthma, diabetes, etc. The present study investigated the neurotoxic effect of the plant extract through oxidative stress in Swiss albino mice. The treated mice showed anxiety, neophobic and depression-like properties compared to control mice. The biochemical parameters show an increase in Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration while decreasing the total protein content in different brain regions of treated mice. The Glutathione Reductase (GR) activity shows an increase in treated mice compared to the control one. The study indicates that Alstonia scholaris may cause severe damage to the central nervous system when administered without a proper guideline.","PeriodicalId":92178,"journal":{"name":"Austin neurology & neurosciences","volume":"31 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80734583","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-02-03DOI: 10.26420/austinneurol.2021.1015
N. S, Vidya Mv, A. Mj
The etiology of young stroke is mainly contributed by genetic mutations in coagulation and metabolic pathways. We present a 29-year-old male, who presented with headache and weakness and later diagnosed to have posterior cerebral artery territory infarct. We highlight MTHFR mutation as an etiology of young stroke and the importance of family screening in such patients.
{"title":"Methylene Tetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) Mutation in a Young Patient with Stroke: A Case Report","authors":"N. S, Vidya Mv, A. Mj","doi":"10.26420/austinneurol.2021.1015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26420/austinneurol.2021.1015","url":null,"abstract":"The etiology of young stroke is mainly contributed by genetic mutations in coagulation and metabolic pathways. We present a 29-year-old male, who presented with headache and weakness and later diagnosed to have posterior cerebral artery territory infarct. We highlight MTHFR mutation as an etiology of young stroke and the importance of family screening in such patients.","PeriodicalId":92178,"journal":{"name":"Austin neurology & neurosciences","volume":"23 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81949432","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
N M Mercado, T J Collier, C E Sortwell, K Steece-Collier
Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin family of secreted growth factors. BDNF signaling is known to exert both chronic, pro-survival effects related to gene expression and protein synthesis ("canonical signaling"), and acute effects as a modulator of neurotransmission ("non-canonical signaling"). BDNF has received a great deal of attention for its role in neurodegenerative diseases including Huntington's Disease (HD), Alzheimer's Disease (AD), and Parkinson's Disease (PD) and has been extensively reviewed elsewhere in this regard (e.g., [1-6]). However aging-related changes in BDNF function and expression have been studied only rarely, with the majority of studies characterizing changes in structures such as the hippocampus and neocortex. In this review, we attempt to briefly summarize the extent of the existing literature on age-related BDNF changes, and discuss the relevance of these changes as a factor potentially impacting therapeutics in aged parkinsonian subjects.
{"title":"BDNF in the Aged Brain: Translational Implications for Parkinson's Disease.","authors":"N M Mercado, T J Collier, C E Sortwell, K Steece-Collier","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin family of secreted growth factors. BDNF signaling is known to exert both chronic, pro-survival effects related to gene expression and protein synthesis (\"canonical signaling\"), and acute effects as a modulator of neurotransmission (\"non-canonical signaling\"). BDNF has received a great deal of attention for its role in neurodegenerative diseases including Huntington's Disease (HD), Alzheimer's Disease (AD), and Parkinson's Disease (PD) and has been extensively reviewed elsewhere in this regard (e.g., [1-6]). However aging-related changes in BDNF function and expression have been studied only rarely, with the majority of studies characterizing changes in structures such as the hippocampus and neocortex. In this review, we attempt to briefly summarize the extent of the existing literature on age-related BDNF changes, and discuss the relevance of these changes as a factor potentially impacting therapeutics in aged parkinsonian subjects.</p>","PeriodicalId":92178,"journal":{"name":"Austin neurology & neurosciences","volume":"2 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5929154/pdf/nihms949934.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"36069649","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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