http://hdl.handle.net/2440/5865 Tue, 21 May 2013 23:12:31 GMT 2013-05-21T23:12:31Z http://hdl.handle.net/2440/77868 Title: Neuroplastic modulation of inhibitory motor cortical networks by spaced theta burst stimulation protocols Author: Goldsworthy, Mitchell Ryan; Pitcher, Julia Blanche; Ridding, Michael Charles Mon, 31 Dec 2012 13:30:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2440/77868 2012-12-31T13:30:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2440/77853 Title: Primary sensory and motor cortex excitability are co-modulated in response to peripheral electrical nerve stimulation Author: Schabrun, Siobhan May; Ridding, Michael Charles; Galea, Mary P.; Hodges, Paul W.; Chipchase, Lucinda S. Abstract: Peripheral electrical stimulation (PES) is a common clinical technique known to induce changes in corticomotor excitability; PES applied to induce a tetanic motor contraction increases, and PES at sub-motor threshold (sensory) intensities decreases, corticomotor excitability. Understanding of the mechanisms underlying these opposite changes in corticomotor excitability remains elusive. Modulation of primary sensory cortex (S1) excitability could underlie altered corticomotor excitability with PES. Here we examined whether changes in primary sensory (S1) and motor (M1) cortex excitability follow the same timecourse when PES is applied using identical stimulus parameters. Corticomotor excitability was measured using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and sensory cortex excitability using somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) before and after 30 min of PES to right abductor pollicis brevis (APB). Two PES paradigms were tested in separate sessions; PES sufficient to induce a tetanic motor contraction (30–50 Hz; strong motor intensity) and PES at sub motor-threshold intensity (100 Hz). PES applied to induce strong activation of APB increased the size of the N20-P25 component, thought to reflect sensory processing at cortical level, and increased corticomotor excitability. PES at sensory intensity decreased the size of the P25-N33 component and reduced corticomotor excitability. A positive correlation was observed between the changes in amplitude of the cortical SEP components and corticomotor excitability following sensory and motor PES. Sensory PES also increased the sub-cortical P14-N20 SEP component. These findings provide evidence that PES results in co-modulation of S1 and M1 excitability, possibly due to cortico-cortical projections between S1 and M1. This mechanism may underpin changes in corticomotor excitability in response to afferent input generated by PES. Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:30:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2440/77853 2011-12-31T13:30:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2440/77842 Title: The future of human embryo culture media: or have we reached the ceiling? Author: Zander-Fox, Deirdre L.; Lane, Michelle Therese Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:30:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2440/77842 2011-12-31T13:30:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2440/77522 Title: Insulin-sensitising drugs (metformin, rosiglitazone, pioglitazone, D-chiro-inositol) for women with polycystic ovary syndrome, oligo amenorrhoea and subferfility Author: Tang, Thomas; Lord, Jonathan M.; Norman, Robert John; Yasmin, Ephia; Balen, Adam H. Abstract: BACKGROUND Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterised by infrequent or absent ovulation (anovulation), high levels of male hormones (hyperandrogenaemia) and high levels of insulin (hyperinsulinaemia secondary to increased insulin resistance). Hyperinsulinaemia is associated with an increase in cardiovascular risk and the development of diabetes mellitus. Insulin-sensitising agents such as metformin may be effective in treating the features of PCOS, including anovulation. OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of insulin-sensitising drugs in improving reproductive outcomes and metabolic parameters for women with PCOS. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group Trials Register (October 2011), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library, 3rd Quarter 2011), CINAHL (October 2011), MEDLINE (January 1966 to October 2011), and EMBASE (January 1985 to October 2011). SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials of insulin sensitising drugs compared with either placebo, no treatment, or an ovulation induction agent for women with PCOS, menstrual disturbance and subfertility. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently assessed studies for inclusion and trial quality, and extracted data. MAIN RESULTS Forty-four trials (3992 women) were included for analysis, 38 of them using metformin and involving 3495 women. There was no evidence that metformin improved live birth rates, whether it was used alone (pooled OR 1.80, 95% CI 0.52 to 6.16, 3 trials, 115 women) or in combination with clomiphene (pooled OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.56, 7 trials, 907 women). However, clinical pregnancy rates were improved for metformin versus placebo (pooled OR 2.31, 95% CI 1.52 to 3.51, 8 trials, 707 women) and for metformin and clomiphene versus clomiphene alone (pooled OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.96, 11 trials, 1208 women). In the studies that compared metformin and clomiphene alone, there was evidence of an improved live birth rate (pooled OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.52, 2 trials, 500 women) and clinical pregnancy rate (pooled OR 0.34, 95% 0.21 to 0.55, 2 trials, 500 women) in the group of obese women who took clomiphene. Metformin was also associated with a significantly higher incidence of gastrointestinal disturbances than placebo (pooled OR 4.27, 95% CI 2.4 to 7.59, 5 trials, 318 women) but no serious adverse effects were reported. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS In agreement with the previous review, metformin was associated with improved clinical pregnancy but there was no evidence that metformin improves live birth rates whether it is used alone or in combination with clomiphene, or when compared with clomiphene. Therefore, the role of metformin in improving reproductive outcomes in women with PCOS appears to be limited. Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:30:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2440/77522 2011-12-31T13:30:00Z