April 19, 2013
Jonathan Harris ‘ 13Hamline University
Biology Senior Seminar
Abstract:
Deep Brain Stimulation as a Treatment for patients with Dystonia-Choreoathetosis Cerebral Palsy
Bilateral pallidal deep brain stimulation (BP-DBS) has been shown to be an effective treatment for primary dystonia. Less is known about the effects of BP-DBS on forms of secondary dystonia. A multicenter prospective study of BP-DBS of the globus pallidus internus was conducted on 13 adults with dystonia-choreoathetosis cerebral palsy. The Burke-Fahn-Marsden dystonia rating scale was used to evaluate the change in severity of dystonia-choreoathetosis after one year of stimulation. The mean improvement in the Burke-Fahn-Marsden dystonia rating scale movement score was 24.4% with no decrease in cognition or mood. Patients also saw an improvement in functional disability, pain, and mental health related quality of life. The treatment was most effective when stimulation was targeted to the lower backside region of the globus pallidus internus.
Lauren Bjerke ‘ 13Hamline UniversityBiology Senior Seminar Abstract:
Musculoskeletal Stress Markers in the Mimbres
Musculoskeletal stress markers (MSMs) are defects on bones associated with muscle origin and insertion sites as a result of muscular stress usually due to repetitive use. These marks can be expressed in several ways: porosity from a loss of bone, new bone formation, or a mixture of the two. Since bone is a living tissue, when we use our muscles we are exerting force upon them. This force results in the MSMs. Most commonly, these markers are present limb bones. The current research was conducted on a skeletal sample of Mimbres individuals who lived in New Mexico between AD 1000 - AD 1150. Five muscle attachments sites on the upper limb bones were evaluated and six on the lower limb bones. The objectives of this research were (1) To create a modified version of existing MSM scoring systems that is easy to understand but more comprehensive than current systems, (2) To examine 11 MSM sites on both juvenile and adult remains in order to discern the age at which juveniles begin to express well-developed MSM sites and if the expression at each site differs between adults and juveniles. The first objective of the research was accomplished by modifying current systems and MSMs were scored for location and degree of expression. One of the main dimensions added to the system was the category of MSM in addition to degree of expression. The second objective of the study was not met. It is difficult to ascertain with any certainty the age at which Mimbres sub-adult individuals appear to be commencing subsistence practice activities at this time. This is due to confounding factors that have may have influenced the development of sub-adult MSMs. In this sample, the likely primary confounding factor is the cultural practice of cradle boarding.
