Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) may have a biological mechanism that could, at least in part, help explain the condition’s cause.

Researchers have identified a brainstem abnormality affecting serotonin receptors, which they believe, alongside other biological and environmental factors, may increase an infant’s risk of SIDS.

Also known as “cot death”, SIDS is the sudden, unexpected, and unexplained death of a seemingly healthy baby under one year of age that usually occurs while they are sleeping.

It is rare, but is still the leading cause of post-neonatal infant death in the United States, affecting around 38 out of 100,000 live births in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Its cause is unknown, despite a wealth of research and even some breakthroughs. So, researchers, led by Robin Haynes at Boston Children’s Hospital, Massachusetts, embarked on a study to learn more.

They collected and analyzed the brainstem tissue of 70 deceased infants, 58 of whom died of SIDS and 12 of other causes between 2004 and 2011.

When comparing the tissues, the team noticed differences in how serotonin – a chemical that sends signals between nerve cells and is involved in modulating numerous biological processes including mood and sleep  – binds to receptors. 

These same receptors – called 5-HT_2A/C receptors – have previously been associated with arousal and autoresuscitation in rodents and so may have a protective function during sleep.

The researchers found that the binding of serotonin to these receptors was altered in the lower brainstems of babies who died of SIDS, compared with those who died of other causes.

They speculate that these abnormalities, in at least a subset of SIDS, may lead to “failure across multiple vital respiratory, cardiovascular, and autonomic brainstem systems that are necessary for successful reoxygenation and perfusion of the developing brain in response to [low oxygen].”

Such a biological vulnerability, in conjunction with other factors such as a child’s sleeping position and age, may all contribute to their increased risk of SIDS, the team believes.

“The work presented builds upon previous work by our laboratory and others showing abnormalities in the serotonergic system of some SIDS infants,” Haynes said in a statement. 

“Although we have identified abnormalities in the serotonin 2A/C receptor in SIDS, the relationship between the abnormalities and cause of death remains unknown.

Much work remains in determining the consequence of abnormalities in this receptor in the context of a larger network of serotonin and non-serotonin receptors that protect vital functions in cardiac and respiratory control when challenged.” 

It is hoped that such research could help us to one day predict an infant’s risk of SIDS. However, “we have no means to identify infants with biological abnormalities in the serotonergic system [at present],” Haynes added, stressing the importance of adhering to safe-sleep practices.

Last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics updated its guidelines on infant sleeping for the first time in six years, providing up-to-date safe-sleep recommendations and advice on lowering the risk of SIDS.

This includes laying infants flat on their backs on non-inclined surfaces and avoiding bedsharing. More information can be found here.

The study is published in the Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology.

Original Article

In a groundbreaking development, a Dutch man who suffered a spinal cord injury in a bicycle accident twelve years ago has regained the ability to walk, thanks to advanced stimulators implanted on his brain and spinal cord.

This remarkable achievement, published in a recent study, represents a significant breakthrough in the field of neurotechnology and holds promise for improving the mobility and independence of individuals with spinal cord injuries and strokes.

The Journey to Recovery:

Gert-Jan Oskam, now 40 years old, had previously undergone spinal cord stimulation treatments that allowed him to stand and take steps, but only when he activated the device manually.

However, the new system has revolutionized his ability to walk by enabling him to simply think about walking, triggering the stimulation and initiating leg movements. The implanted stimulators reestablish communication between the brain and the leg-controlling region of the spinal cord, resulting in more natural walking patterns.

A Leap into Science Fiction Becomes Reality:

The collaborative research team, led by Dr. Grégoire Courtine, made significant strides in bridging the gap between the brain and the spinal cord, thus restoring lost motor function.

Dr. Jocelyne Bloch, a neurosurgeon at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland, described the journey as initially resembling science fiction but eventually becoming a reality. By reconnecting the disrupted signaling between the brain and muscles, the weak signals sent by Oskam’s body were reinforced, enabling mobility even when the stimulators were turned off.

Reclaiming Independence and Beyond:

For Oskam, being able to walk at will has provided a newfound sense of independence, particularly within his home environment. He shared a poignant moment when he took the initiative to paint his new house, using a walker to stand and perform the task himself.

With stimulators implanted in both his brain and spinal cord, he now controls the stimulation with his thoughts, offering a remarkable level of control and natural movement.

Expanding Possibilities and Clinical Trials:

While Oskam is the first individual to have his results with the stimulators published, the research team believes that their findings will pave the way for assisting a broader population of individuals with spinal cord injuries and strokes.

The benefits extend beyond walking, potentially improving other functions such as bladder control, blood pressure regulation, and sweating. The team plans to miniaturize the hardware used in the system for practical implementation outside the laboratory setting. Additionally, they aim to launch a clinical trial within a year, which may lead to the eventual approval of stimulators for use in spinal cord injury patients.

Experts Applaud the Breakthrough:

Experts in the field have hailed the research as a remarkable achievement. The ability to stimulate both the brain and spinal cord in real-time represents unprecedented progress.

Researchers foresee this breakthrough accelerating advancements in the field and instilling greater confidence in the potential of neurotechnology. The technology, although still in its infancy, shows tremendous promise for enhancing the quality of life for individuals with paralysis.

Looking Ahead:

While the technology may never replicate natural movement perfectly, the strides made in recent research demonstrate significant improvements in mobility and motor function. The potential to restore arm movements and further refine the technology holds tremendous promise for the future.

This breakthrough development is reminiscent of the aspirations of the late actor Christopher Reeve, who dreamt of standing up and walking again after his paralyzing accident. With each step forward, the boundaries of possibility continue to expand, offering hope and renewed independence to individuals affected by spinal cord injuries.

Watch the video below:

Original Article – Getting to sleep at night isn’t always an easy task, especially if your mind is still racing by the time your head hits your pillow and you can’t seem to get it to stop.

Thankfully, there are plenty of things you can do to try and improve your sleep routine, such as cutting down on caffeine before bedtime and trying breathing exercises which many find helpful.

There are also medicines that can help you get to sleep, but according to one pharmacist, these should only ever be used as a last resort – as some of them can actually cause even more problems including nightmares and weight gain.

Ian Budd, clinical lead and prescribing pharmacist at Chemist4U, explained that one of the most popular sleep aids involves a synthetic version of the sleep hormone melatonin, which your body produces naturally at nighttime to control how and when you sleep.

However, the synthetic versions of melatonin – which should only be taken for short periods if you’re struggling with sleep problems – can be dangerous as they can cause “unpleasant side effects” including nightmares, night sweats, and weight gain.

Ian, therefore, recommends consulting your doctor before taking melatonin as a sleep aid.

He said: “Melatonin can be found in a medicine called Circadin. If you’ve been struggling with your sleep cycle for a while, it’s likely you know that melatonin is a natural chemical in the body that helps you to fall asleep.

“But, make sure you know what you’re getting into before you pick up your prescription, as Circadin can have some pretty unpleasant side effects such as abnormal nightmares, night sweats and weight gain.

“Sleep aids should only be used as a last resort, after first trying to make some lifestyle changes, such as improving your bedtime routine, cutting down caffeine intake and managing stress. We would recommend consulting with your doctor before using melatonin as a sleep aid to avoid any unwanted side effects.”

If you are looking for help getting to sleep at night, Dr Michael Mosley recently shared a series of tips as part of his new podcast, Sleep Well, which is aimed at adults who struggle to improve their sleep.

A teacher in Colorado passed away over the weekend, bringing the toll of untimely deaths at the Cherry Creek School District to three.

The physical education teacher, Scott Nash, is said to have died of unknown causes. This follows the deaths of two other teachers, Maddie Schmidt, and Judith Geoffroy.

The Arapahoe County Public Health Department has confirmed that Schmidt’s symptoms were consistent with meningitis, which includes nausea, a stiff neck, a sudden rise in body temperature, and a dark purple rash, according to a local hospital.

However, the Cherry Creek School District has asserted that Nash’s cause of death is unrelated.

The local health authority released a statement saying, “The Arapahoe Public Health Department is working closely with the Cherry Creek School District, sharing information and working together to perform contact tracing,” via USA Today.

They also advised that the medical examiner’s office is performing additional tests on the teachers and would release a statement once they determine the cause of death.

The circumstances surrounding faculty member Geoffroy’s death, who passed away on the same weekend as Schmidt, remain unclear.

Both women worked at Eaglecrest High School in Aurora, Colorado, at its integrated learning center. Their unexpected deaths resulted in the school being closed until Monday, per New York Post.

In response to these sudden deaths, the school district is working with the public health department and offering preventative antibiotics to those staff members and families deemed to be close contacts.

Despite Nash’s passing being unrelated to meningitis, the potential for an outbreak has caused concern for the community’s well-being.

The Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office has yet to come to a conclusion about the cause of death for two of the teachers, and information is still being gathered.

Original Article