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Conference Lectures - Neurology Conference 2025 USA
Neuroimaging by Evaluating Nerve Renovation and Neuroplasticity of Acupuncture in Children with Cerebral Palsy
Keynote Speaker - Dr. Zhenhuan LIU (Oral Presentation - In-Person)
Nanhai Maternity and Children Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, China
Abstract:
Objective:
To investigate the effect of acupuncture on brain plasticity and motor development in children with cerebral palsy. This study aims to explore its mechanisms, including the regulation of brain nerve cell apoptosis, neurotrophic factor expression, synaptic structure remodeling, and overall motor development in young rats with cerebral palsy. Additionally, the study evaluates both the therapeutic effect and mechanisms of acupuncture, as well as its nerve repair potential in cerebral palsy.
Methods:
This randomized controlled study included 146 cases of brain injury and 1,078 cases of cerebral palsy. Evaluations were based on ICF gross motor function measures, Peabody fine motor function scale, Gesell developmental scales, muscle tone assessments, joint mobility, activities of daily living, transcranial Doppler (TCD), cranial B-ultrasound, brain MRI, SPECT, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography.
Results:
● The extracellular space recovery rate (92.3%) in the acupuncture group was significantly higher than the control group (70.8%) (P < 0.05).
● The total efficiency of TCD was 79.3% in the acupuncture group compared to 51.8% in the control group (P < 0.05).
● Acupuncture significantly promoted neuro-cognitive and motor development in infants under 6 months, reducing neurological sequelae.
● The total effective rate in the acupuncture group for children with cerebral palsy was 87%, significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.01).
● Brain MRI improvement rate was 59.55%, which was 13.25% higher than the control group (P < 0.01).
● In a 1-year follow-up, the total effective rate reached 91.3%, also significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.01).
● FA values of white matter fiber bundles significantly improved after 60 acupuncture sessions (P < 0.05).
● Ultrasonographic brain injury recovery in the acupuncture group was 86.7% versus 64.4% in the control (P < 0.05).
● SPECT recovery rate was 96.4% in the acupuncture group, significantly higher than the control (P < 0.01).
Conclusion:
Acupuncture-based rehabilitation not only promotes the development of white and gray matter in children with cerebral palsy but also aids brain function remodeling and compensation. It enhances social adaptability, language, cognitive functions, and both gross and fine motor development, ultimately improving self-care abilities in affected children.
Keywords:
Cerebral Palsy, Acupuncture, Nerve Repair, Remodeling, Motor Function
Biography:
Prof. Zhenhuan Liu is a renowned pediatric neurologist and acupuncturist, Ph.D. tutor, and expert in integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine. With over 40 years of clinical and rehabilitation experience, he has led a team treating more than 40,000 children with intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and autism from China and over 20 countries. More than 26,800 of these children have returned to school and society and become self-sufficient. His rehabilitation outcomes rank among the top internationally.
He serves as Vice-Chairman of the Rehabilitation Professional Committee for Children with Cerebral Palsy, World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies, and has been a Visiting Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong for the past 10 years. He has edited 10 books and published 268 papers in both international and Chinese medical journals.
Natural products for management of symptoms of dementia in different stages
Keynote Speaker - Dr. Magda Tsolaki - Oral Presentation (Virtual)
Emeritus Professor of Neurology, Aristotle Univesrsity of Thessaloniki, Makedonia, Greece, Chair of the Greek Federation of Alzheimer’s Disease
Abstract:
Dementia is a growing global health concern, currently affecting approximately 50 million people worldwide. Despite ongoing research, current pharmacological treatments are largely ineffective in halting or reversing the progression of dementia and may lead to adverse side effects. In recent years, secondary prevention efforts have focused on pre-dementia stages of the disease, such as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).
Natural products have been increasingly suggested as preventive options for dementia, with promising results. Several key randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have investigated the role of natural products in managing MCI and their potential in dementia prevention.
In this presentation, we will showcase findings from three of our studies on Crocus sativus, Early Harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EHEVOO), and pomegranate seed oil for the management of MCI. We will also present data on olive leaf extract for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and 3% Cannabidiol (CBD) for the treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) across different forms of dementia.
● The Crocus sativus study demonstrated improvements in cognition (measured by MMSE and MOCA), activities of daily living (FRSSD), and neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPI). MRI scans showed an increase in the volume of the temporal and frontal lobes, while electrophysiological markers N200 and P300 also improved.
● The EHEVOO study showed significant cognitive benefits (MMSE, ADAS-Cog, Digit Symbol), reduced over-excitation of information flow as assessed by the dominant coupling mode model in EEG studies, improved coagulation mechanisms (PAI-1, α2-antiplasmin, tPA), and reduced oxidative stress (MDA). Additionally, it acted as a neuroprotective agent by increasing BMI1 and reducing p53 expression, reducing neuroinflammation (IL-6, TNF-α), and lowering levels of PARP-1 and 8-OHdG, biomarkers of DNA damage. Plasma tau and phosphorylated tau (p-tau), key biomarkers of AD, were also reduced.
● The pomegranate seed oil study showed significant improvements in global cognition (p = 0.004), verbal episodic memory (p = 0.009), and processing and executive function (p < 0.001) compared to the control group.
The Greek Olive Leaf Extract (GOLDEN study) also showed cognitive and functional improvements in patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease across several scales (MMSE, FRSSD, FUCAS, ADAS-Cog, CDR, GDS, and NPI), with statistically significant improvements observed in the MMSE score.
Finally, CBD 3% was used in two separate studies for managing neuropsychiatric symptoms. One study observed effects after 15 days, and the second after 6 months. Both demonstrated significant improvements.
In conclusion, we believe that the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases may lie in nature. Continued exploration and combinations of natural products could provide effective and safer alternatives for managing conditions like dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
The Immunochemical pathology of encephalomyeloradiculoneuropathy: A new autoneuroimmune disorder
Keynote Speaker - Dr. Tatsuro Mutoh, MD, PhD, FAAN - Oral Presentation (In-Person)
Department of Neurology, Fujita Health University Hospital, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan
Abstract:
Glycosphingolipids are now known to be rapidly converted to mediators for inflammatory reactions or to signaling molecules that control inflammatory events in the nervous system. The present study aimed to explore whether disturbed glycolipids and sphingolipids metabolism in the nervous system is present in patients with a neuroinflammatory disorder, Encephalo-Myelo-Radiculo-Neuropathy (EMRN), because most EMRN patients have been reported to exhibit autoantibodies against neutral glycolipids. We recruited 8 patients with EMRN, 6 patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), and 20 neurologically normal control subjects for serum determination of the active fragment of C5 complements. For sphingolipids and glycolipids determination with LC-MS/MS in CSF, we recruited 8 patients with EMRN, 6patients with PD, and 6 neurologically normal controls. ELISA for activated peripheral C5 complement, C5a and mass spectrometric analysis of cerebrospinal fluid were performed as previously reported1. Furthermore, all sera from the patients with EMRN were subjected to Far-Eastern blot analysis employing neutral glycolipids such as lactosylceramide (LacCer) as antigens. The data disclosed a significant upregulation of active fragment C5 complement, C5a levels in sera as well as a significant accumulation of species-specific ceramides but not sphingomyelin in cerebrospinal fluid from EMRN patients2. Furthermore, we confirmed the occurrence of anti-neutral glycolipids antibodies, especially anti-LacCer antibodies in all EMRN patients.
He was graduated from Nagoya University School of Medicine, Japan (MD and PhD). He was appointed as assistant Prof. at Fukui Medical School and moved to NIH, USA from 1987-1990. He was promoted to full professor and Chairman at Department of Neurology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Japan in 2005. His interest is neuroglycobiology, protein-lipid interaction, and signal transduction of neurodegenerative and neuroimmuneological diseases. He has been acting as a fellow of American Academy of Neurology and being editorial board member of Front Cell Neurosci (associate Editor), Front In Biosci (managing Editor), AIMS Medical Science (Section Editor-in-Chief).
Identifying Factors that Influence the Transition from Acute to Chronic Low Back Pain in Black/African Americans
Speaker - Dr. Bright Eze: Virtual Presentation
University of Connecticut School of Nursing, Storrs, CT, USA and University of Florida
Abstract:
Description:
The first specific aim is to Identify differences in psychosocial (pain severity and interference, perceived stress, mood, and coping) and sensory (pressure pain) factors between Black/African Americans and NHW participants with low back pain at acute onset and at 6-month follow-up and aim two is to identify DEGS between Blacks and NHWs with low back pain at baseline and 6-month follow-up.
Introduction/Significance:
Chronic pain is one of the major public health problems in the US, & a leading cause of disability. Although Black/African Americans do not necessarily have a higher overall prevalence of chronic low back pain, they carry a disproportionate burden of pain compared to Non-Hispanic White individuals.
Description:
The first specific aim is to Identify differences in psychosocial (pain severity and interference, perceived stress, mood, and coping) and sensory (pressure pain) factors between Black/African Americans and NHW participants with low back pain at acute onset and at 6-month follow-up and aim two is to identify DEGS between Blacks and NHWs with low back pain at baseline and 6-month follow-up.
Introduction/Significance:
Chronic pain is one of the major public health problems in the US, & a leading cause of disability. Although Black/African Americans do not necessarily have a higher overall prevalence of chronic low back pain, they carry a disproportionate burden of pain compared to Non-Hispanic White individuals.
Method:
A secondary analysis of demographic variables, pain, stress, mood, coping, pressure pain, and gene expression profiles was carried out among 36 Black/African Americans and 29 Non-Hispanic Whites who had transitioned from acute to chronic low back pain. Stored blood samples from the parent study were sequenced to identify differential gene expression profiles.
Results/Outcomes:
Black/African Americans reported significantly increased pain intensity, different use of coping strategies and exhibited increased localized pain sensitivity (pressure pain) at the onset of acute low back pain compared to Non-Hispanic Whites. At both bassline and 6-month follow-up, factors such as Coping components, pressure pain thresholds, pain interference, and pain intensity influenced the transition from acute to chronic low back pain among black and NHWs. Differentially expressed genes encoding for inflammatory, immunological, and stress response mediators were identified among Black/African Americans compared to Non-Hispanic Whites.
Discussion/Conclusion:
The findings from this study identified differences in the psychosocial and neurobiological factors that contribute to the acute to chronic pain trajectory among Black/African Americans compared to Whites. Factors noted were poor coping, pressure pain thresholds, intensity, & interference.
Keywords:
Black/African Americans, keyword2: Chronic low back pain, Keyword3: Differential gene expression
Lumbar sympathetic block as adjunct to management of phantom limb pain in a patient with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma post hemipelvectomy: a case report
Speaker- Dr. Abby Niles Cuenco - Oral Poster Presentation
MD, Pain Management Center, St. Lukes’s Medical Center – Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Abstract:
Objectives:
This case report details the successful management of phantom limb pain (PLP) in a 44-year-old female with persistent phantom limb pain post hemipelvectomy due to recurrent cervical squamous cell carcinoma. The patient presented with complications from her cancer treatment and pre-existing phantom limb pain, initially managed with a fentanyl PCA pump. Eventually, C-ARM-guided lumbar sympathetic block was administered, providing significant pain relief and improved quality of life.
This study aims to (1) assess and manage the patient's phantom limb pain, including its intensity, characteristics (e.g., burning, stabbing), and impact on quality of life, and (2) evaluate and highlight the
Methods:
The patient presented with a three-year history of phantom limb pain on the lower back and hips radiating to the lower extremities. She was assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and the American Chronic Pain Association Quality of Life Scale (ACPA-QOLS) at baseline with regular intervals during treatment. Interventional pain management was eventually offered as an outpatient procedure to provide better pain relief and improved quality of life.
At the outpatient operating room, patient put on prone position. Aseptic technique was done. C-arm identified bilateral lesions (metastatic tumors) at L2-L3 were confirmed with dye uptake. A 10-milliliter solution containing Bupivacaine 0.25% and methylprednisolone 20mg were administered at the bilateral lower endplates of the L2 vertebral bodies using gauge 22 needle.
Results:
Immediately after the LSB, patient’s pain score improved to 0-2 from BASELINE of 3-4. No complications were noted. Patient was sent home fully awake with stable vital signs. She was discharged improved.
Upon follow-up after two weeks, the patient’s pain scores for her PLP have diminished to NRS 3/10. ACPA Quality of Life Score is now 5/10 from 1/10 prior to intervention. She was able to rest at the comfort of her own home. She proceeded to continue with her company work.
Conclusions
This case shows that lumbar sympathetic block is an effective option to manage persistent phantom limb pain. This suggests that the sympathetic nervous system plays a role in PLP. LSB can be used as part of a multidisciplinary biopsychosocial approach to pain relief.
Organic MyExosome®: A triple holistic blend of coffee, ginseng, and ginkgo epden's as a functional food supplement for the prevention of Alzheimer's and dementia
Poster Presentation: Dr. Cenan Öztürk, Turkey (Virtual)
Ankara University, Department of Biology, Ankara, Türkiye
Abstract:
Objective
The aim of this study is to present the formulation of MyExosome®, an innovative, fully organic, and vegan functional food supplement containing orally consumable EPDEN's (edible plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles), designed to combat and preventive Alzheimer's disease and dementia. This formulation is produced using EPDEN's derived from organic Coffea arabica seeds, organic Ginkgo biloba leaves, and organic Panax ginseng root-rhizomes, all of which are known for their neuroprotective properties. The isolation of these nanoparticles and the formulation of MyExosome® were optimized at the AYE Exocure R&D Center. MyExosome®'s preventive and therapeutic effects against Alzheimer's have been proven in in-vitro (Alzheimer's model and microglial cells), in-vivo (Alzheimer's model rats), and clinical studies conducted by AYE Exocure. Our goal is to enhance the stability, selectivity, sensitivity, and specificity of these nanoparticles, providing an effective support to slow down or prevent the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
Method
A randomly selected capsule of MyExosome® was diluted with water at specific ratios and subjected to a series of physicochemical tests, including pH determination, Zeta potential analysis, and UV/Vis full-spectrum scanning. In addition to determining the pH level of the stock product, four different pH levels were prepared using hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide, followed by zeta potential analyses for each. UV/Vis full-spectrum scanning was performed in the 200-800 nm wavelength range.
Results
The pH level of the stock solution, prepared at a concentration of 1 mg/ml, was measured as 5.96 ± 0.1. Additionally, the refractive index of the product was determined to be 1.35. Zeta potential analysis graphs are provided in Figure 1. The zeta potential analyses confirmed the stability of the product at different pH levels and provided critical insights into the surface charge of the nanoparticles. The spectrum analysis identified potential absorption peaks corresponding to three specific molecules in the 250-350 nm range (Figure 2).
Discussion
The Zeta potential and Spectrum scanning analysis were conducted by Hacettepe University, and the results demonstrated that MyExosome® possesses the desired physicochemical stability and exhibits significant potential as a neuroprotective agent. This innovative approach offers an alternative supportive treatment and preventive option in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia.
Figure1. Zeta potential analysis
