Research

The discovery that sirtuins proteins acted as an agent in slowing down the aging process was exciting, but the further news that resveratrol, a compound found in red wine, might activate these proteins had many people elated. Unfortunately, a recent study showed that these original findings about sirtuins were clouded by oversights in other areas of the genes that could also have affected the results. While sirtuins are still considered an important part in aging research, resveratrol and red wine have a much lower chance of reversing the aging process. http://healthland.time.com/2011/09/22/too-good-to-be-true-anti-aging-proteins-not-so-potent-after-all/?xid=huffpo-direct

Researches at Stanford University School of Medicine combined functional MRI (fMRI) with computer algorithms to see if they could objectively determine whether or not a person was experiencing pain. In their trial, they were correct 81% of the time. They will continue doing these types of studies in order to improve accuracy and see if this method can be used to detect all types of pain, such as chronic. http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/Research_270/Does_That_Hurt_Objective_Way_to_Measure_Pain_Being_Developed_at_Stanford.shtml

The discovery of the telomere was one of the great advances in genetics thus made. Not a gene, the telomere is a segment of repeating patterns of DNA at the end of each chromosome that is shortened slightly after every cell replication. It was immediately linked to aging, as the telomere can only last so many years before aging begins to break down the actual genes encoded on the chromosome. Telometrics Corporation has been studying the effects of different substances on telomeres and has now released Vital 25, a product which can supposedly slow the aging process and add more quality [...]

A study has shown that in many elderly people with decreased mobility and symptoms of Parkinson's Disease, damaged blood vessels in the brain that would be undetectable on a normal scan could be linked to these signs of aging. 29% of patients studied has not had a stroke nor had any signs of contricted blood vessels, yet were shown to have damage and small blood clots that could be linked to their mild Parkinson's symptoms. Though considered a normal part of aging, researchers of this project believe limited mobility can be prevented and should not be accepted. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14751999

According to a new study in the journal Science, researchers have found a gene that regulates chronic pain. This gene is located in pain-sensitive nerves, and though scientists have been aware of it for some time until recently they were unsure of its purpose. When tested in mice, removing the gene stopped all neuropathic pain without affecting acute pain, a key element in attempting to treat chronic pain without affecting sensation. This exciting discovery could lead to new drugs for neuropathic pain. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/10/chronic-pain-gene-hcn2_n_956092.html

The University of Michigan has established a multidisciplinary program to address peripheral arterial disease related pain management. The program can be used by multiple age groups and features contributions from various medical professionals. The PAD treatment staff includes "experts from vascular surgery, vascular medicine, cardiology, interventional radiology and allied health care professionals". The following is a link to the article:  http://www.uofmhealth.org/news/livingwithpad-0829

Is vitamin D a neglected analgesic for chronic musculoskeletal pain? Dr. Suzan Abou-Raya, professor of geriatric medicine at the University of Alexandria in Egypt, thinks it could be and recommends that physicians should consider oral supplementation for all pain patients. Dr. Abou-Raya based her opinion on the findings of a recent study in which she and her colleagues evaluated the association between vitamin D status and chronic musculoskeletal pain in a cohort of community-dwelling older adults. http://www.internalmedicinenews.com/news/geriatric-medicine/single-article/low-vitamin-d-linked-to-chronic-musculoskeletal-pain/39320d66d1.html

Exercise can help ease joint pain and stiffness for arthritis sufferers. But despite urgings from health officials and plenty of science documenting its benefits, many men and women with osteoarthritis do not engage in any meaningful physical activity in a typical week, according to new research. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/12/arthritis-and-the-exercise-gap/?scp=2&sq=arthritis&st=cse

Researchers at MIT and Harvard believe they have found the mechanism through which regular meditation practice helps manage chronic pain. The study, published online in the journal Brain Research Bulletin, found that meditation helps people control a specific type of brain wave that helps suppress distracting sensory signals. This ability to tune out pain signals and focus attention on other sensations allows people to handle stress better and     to relieve pain. http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2011/meditation-0505.html

As major component of traditional Chinese medicine and endorsed by the World Health Organization, acupuncture has been shown to effectively reduce one’s perception of pain through stimulation of the nervous system. Though treatment does not treat the disease itself, research has shown acupuncture to benefit those suffering from many conditions, including chronic pain. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/staness-jonekos/acupuncture-a-drugfree-op_b_850792.html