Molecular and Functional Neuroscience in Immunity
Molecular and Functional Neuroscience in Immunity Valentin A. Pavlov, Sangeeta S. Chavan, and Kevin J. Tracey Center for Biomedical Science and Center for Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York 11030, USA Stimulation of somatosensory signaling to the CNS by acupuncture activates a brain muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) mechanism…
Read MoreA neuroanatomical basis for electroacupuncture to drive the vagal–adrenal axis
Maybe it sounds hyperbolic, but this article is a true breakthrough. As patients and readers of the blog know, I’ve been focused on the relationship between autonomic balance/stress response and acupuncture for a long time. I measure Heart Rate Variability (HRV), a measure of autonomic balance in the clinic routinely. I have always been interested…
Read MoreModulation of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) in the anti-inflammatory function of the vagus nerve
The α7nAcetylcholine receptor comes up again and again in research on inflammation and has been studied in the context of acupuncture too. Vagal activity is key to natural feedbacks for anti-inflammation. I’ve been monitoring Heart Rate Variability (HRV) for many years which is a measure of autonomic balance. Autonomic balance refers to the relative contributions…
Read MoreInternational Consensus Based Review and Recommendations for Minimum Reporting Standards in Research on Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (Version 2020)
As blog readers know, I’m using TAVNS in the office in conjunction with acupuncture. Some patients have a unit they use at home also. It is becoming a focus of keen interest in the allopathic medical community, so this article covers guidelines for its use. Front Hum Neurosci. 2020; 14: 568051. Published online 2021 Mar 23. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.568051…
Read MoreTRPA1 is necessary for IL-1β induced vagus nerve activity
This is an abstract from the recent Bioelectronic summit. I am keeping tabs on all of the cytokines and mechanisms because they, in many instances, can explain how acupuncture works. I realize this is can seem abstract, but with enough data coming in, we will have a fuller picture. Building the science brick by bridk….
Read MoreCovid Vaccine Pioneers and Others Win 2021 Lasker Awards in Medicine
I just love the story of one of the researchers, Katalin Kariko. I shared her inspirational story here. She persevered in her work on messenger RNA even though she didn’t even have a lab. “they are among the most prestigious prizes in medicine, and scores of Lasker winners have gone on to receive the Nobel…
Read MoreDopamine mediates vagal modulation of the immune system by electroacupuncture.
I’ve probably written about this paper before, but it’s part of the point by point case for acupuncture activating anti-inflammatory effects by exploiting the immune system. In this case, sciatic nerve electroacupuncture stimulates the vagus nerve to activate DOPA decarboxylase which leads to the production of dopamine in the adrenal medulla. Dopamine inhibits cytokine production. …
Read MoreCalifornia now the only state that’s advanced out of CDC’s ‘high’ COVID transmission category
California no longer has “high” community levels of coronavirus transmission, according to data published Tuesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an achievement a top state health official credited to broad vaccination uptake and public compliance with restrictions such as mask-wearing. Update: California moved back into the “high” transmission level on Wednesday,…
Read MoreTAVNS and GERD, Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease
This study shows that transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (TAVNS) improves the symptoms of GERD through vagal activity. This study shows that transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (TAVNS) improves the symptoms of GERD through vagal activity. Zhang B, Hu Y, Shi X, Li W, Zeng X, Liu F, Chen JDZ, Xie WF. Integrative Effects and Vagal…
Read MoreMemory Improvement in Senescent Prone Mice With Electroacupuncture
The mice treated with acupuncture were better able to navigate a water maze and had a lowering of brain inflammatory markers.This study looks at senescent prone mice and delivers acupuncture in a set prescription once a week for 8 weeks (not intensive, at only once a week). The set prescription (for acupuncturists) is K3, Bl23,…
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