MEDICA@MUSC (Medical University of South Carolina)
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Attention Network Dynamics Predict Motor Improvement through Language and Visual Area Synchrony in Chronic Stroke
No full textRestoring motor abilities after a stroke necessitates the involvement of numerous cognitive systems. To discover the mechanistic underpinnings related to successful recovery, we probed elements of motor and cognitive network synchrony in subjects with chronic stroke using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and fMRI. Following stimulation, Fugl-Meyer Assessments (FMA) were measured along with functional connectivity changes, which were most pronounced in supplementary motor area, inferior frontal gyrus, and temporo-occipital areas. Individual differences in stroke damage and electric field modeling were not related to motor effect of tDCS; instead graph features of the left dorsal attention network most strongly predicted FMA change, even in subjects who improved spontaneously with sham stimulation. Ultimately, attention network structure explained functional connectivity changes in motor, language and visual areas independent of neuromodulation in chronic stroke subjects. Our results demonstrate the fundamental role of network topology as part of a novel integrated approach to advancing stroke recovery
Framework for Clinical and Non-Clinical Best Practices for Care for Transgender Individuals
Get PDFThis framework studies the gap in healthcare transgender individuals experience and aims to provide competent clinical and non-clinical best practices for care within a clinical setting. The literature indicates the challenges transgender individuals face when accessing appropriate care. Amid the current political climate and rise of anti-transgender healthcare bills, clinical settings need to be inclusive of gender diverse communication and language to ensure equitable care. Therefore, this framework addresses the clinical and administrative gaps that exist through the development of two case scenarios. Furthermore, the case scenarios indicate the need for core competencies within a clinical setting. The framework recommends core competencies and provides a clinical discussion design to establish an appropriate and equitable medical visit. Nonetheless, this framework can serve as a reference that can be used for all vulnerable populations to address their specific healthcare needs
Promoting Engagement of Male Individuals with Alzheimer’s in a Memory Day Care
Get PDFAlzheimer’s and related dementias impact an individual\u27s cognitive, psychological, social, and physical functions resulting in impairments within the engagement of activities. Activities offer many therapeutic benefits including improvements in mood, alertness, communication, socialization, sleep, cognitive function, and quality of life. The focus of this quality improvement capstone project was to address the decreased level of engagement in male members within a memory day care center setting through engaging them in male-tailored activities. The project included the development of a website that provided tailored male-oriented activities and educational resources that were shared with the staff to revise their day care activity program, as well as with caregivers to increase activity engagement at home. The outcomes of the project revealed male participation increased, with observable signs of increased energy level, affect, attention, engagement, and communication. Additionally, all of the staff and the majority of caregivers reported satisfaction with activities provided, and increased comfort and confidence in initiating the implementation of activities in the future. Therefore, successful implementation of male-tailored activity program within the day care and successful distribution of resources to caregivers and staff that promote the engagement of male members in activities occurred
The Role of Occupational Therapists in the Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification Process: A Continuing Education Course
Get PDFDisease-Specific Care Certification (DSCC) from the Joint Commission is designed to evaluate, accredit, and improve healthcare facilities and/or clinical programs seeking certification in a variety of chronic diseases or conditions across the continuum of care. The Joint Commission DSCC process is often driven by nursing specialists and administration. Unfortunately, occupational therapy (OT) practitioners are usually not involved due to a lack of knowledge about the process. Once OTs better understand the DSCC procedures, they can facilitate an efficient, effective, and evidence-based monitored certification program because of their skills in research, collaboration, leadership, and clinical practice. Engaging with a national entity, such as the Joint Commission, allows for professional growth, leadership opportunities, and corporate recognition
Sensory Regulation and Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: Education and Resources for Providers
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Marine Macroalgae Derived Natural Product Inhibitors of Advanced Glycation End Product Formation by Scavenging of Reactive Carbonyl Species and their Implications in Slowing the Progression of Prevalent Chronic Diseases
Get PDFReactive Carbonyl Species (RCS) arise from the degradation of essential primary metabolites—sugars and lipids. The resulting stress, derived from their ability to spontaneously react with proteins, DNA, and monoamine neurotransmitters, is a fundamental biological pressure that has driven the evolution of diverse mechanisms for minimizing its impact on organismal health. Relevant to human health, the complications that accompany metabolic disorders, such as diabetes, illustrate what happens when RCS stress exceeds the body’s capacity to prevent excessive damage and the formation of the resulting Advanced Glycation End Products (AGE). These include elevated risks for cardiovascular disease, liver disease, kidney disease, neurodegeneration, and cancer, which are accompanied by a heightened vulnerability to infections. Presented here is a novel quantitative NMR technique for evaluating and screening natural products to discover scavengers of a prominent RCS, methylglyoxal. This tool was employed to explore the chemical diversity of marine macroalgae, with a focus on species that have a history in the diets of the World’s healthiest populations. The results revealed the exceptional RCS scavenging capacity and AGE formation inhibition of phlorotannins, a class of molecules unique to select Phaeophyte species. Likewise, the guanylureas an unusual class of alkaloids found in Rhodophytes, were found to possess similar activity of the diabetes front line therapy, metformin—evoking questions about their impact on the longevity of populations that regularly consume them. Finally, presented here is a hypothesis and supporting evidence for how RCS stress also drives the progression of diabetes and a new insight into the contested mechanism for metformin’s therapeutic effect. Both implicate the dynamic role of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as a signaling molecule in the pancreas—which is susceptible to depletion by methylglyoxal. This leads to the formation of a methylglyoxal-GABA-derived AGE, MOGD, described here for the first time. This discovery offers direction for future research into the effect RCS stress has on the dynamic biological processes that involve monoamine neurotransmitters