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Clinical Trials-- A Crucial Component to Medical Advancements
By Gloria DeWalt
There is a widely held misconception about participation in clinical research that has been perpetuated by the movie industry and uninformed naysayers alike - rooted in fear of the unknown. But what those interested in learning more about, or participating in clinical trials, (more appropriately called medical research), should realize is that without its existence treatments for both acute and chronic conditions, not to mention breakthrough cures, would fail to exist. This would force those diagnosed with illnesses such as depression, schizophrenia and various types of aggressive cancers to accept defeat against their infirmities. And while there is ample praise for the wonder drugs that have helped countless patients people often fail to realize that none of those drugs would exist today without clinical trials.
There are conjured images of participants in clinical trials being treated no better that guinea pigs. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Before a drug can be administered to human subjects it must be scrutinized extensively and pass several tests while studied in the laboratory and then in animals. Moreover before reaching the initial phase of eligibility to be given to humans there is thorough investigation from review boards and ethics committees that hold the regard for partakers in the highest regard.
As one of the leading facilities dedicated to turning patient hope into a reality, California Clinical Trials (CCT), founded in 1986 has unfailingly, through extensive commitment in developing new therapies, remained an instrumental figure in delivering effective treatments such as: Aricept, Imitrex, Paxel and Prozac. Located throughout southern California in Paramount, Culver City and Glendale, CCT addresses the needs of a diverse patient demographic. Much of their success in medical research is due in part to the outstanding staff that remains equally committed to both the comfort and safety of the patient as well as to skillfully analyzing data. While many clinical trial facilities regard large sample sizes as the sole mode of determining treatment efficacy, CCT accounts for participant demographics such as race, gender and age in addition to sample size. In fact, CCT is one of the first medical research facilities to pursue ethnic related studies, an area that is becoming increasingly relevant as medical science learns more about the link between genetics and culture on health. And with the completion of their new building located on the Glendale Adventist Medical Center campus, the research that CCT is committed to providing can reach a larger clientele.
Aside from the chance to provide a legacy of hope for future generations there are numerous advantages to volunteering in medical research. While there already exists an extensive list of medications already available to treat a range of disorders, there is an even longer list of illnesses without adequate treatments such as Parkinson's disease and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease). Thus access to potential treatments not yet available to the public are crucial not only for future sufferers but patients currently hoping to see progress in treatment of their condition. Perhaps another advantage to participating in clinical research is the access it provides the uninsured and others with limited means. All volunteers are provided access, free of charge, to an exceptional medical staff that closely monitors their comfort and safety. Compensation is also available to volunteers at the completion of their study.
Those concerned about privacy or excessive time restraints need not worry. Participant information is kept completely confidential and while the time commitments required varies among studies, those required for inpatient stays are afforded extensive luxuries such as free internet, recreation facilities, film showings, and several other amenities more reminiscent of vacation getaway. Those with flexible schedules or individuals working from home are often able to adhere to their normal schedule. Some of the current studies include areas such as: healthy individuals and those with insomnia, migraines, schizophrenia and memory loss. For more information call 1-888-CC-TRIAL (1-888-228-7425) or visit www.cctstudy.com.
The EEG Institute
Breakthrough in Behavior Modification
By Kimberlee Leonard
Whether you want to improve your golf swing or help a child suffering from severe autism, there is a new development that can help. Neurofeedback training takes existing neural patterns and re-works how the brain processes information to train it in a new behavior. At the EEG Institute in Woodland Hills, clients are finding improvements in all areas of life.
Our brains function by neurons working together creating electric impulses to various work centers to do any task. This activity can be recorded with an EEG machine.
Neurofeedback is brain exercise for self regulation. Self-regulation training enhances the function of the central nervous system and improves mental performance, emotional control and physiological stability. At the EEG Institute Neurofeedback is done by monitoring the client's brain in action from moment to moment - a computer processes the brain waves and the specific information extracted from them is shown to the client. Their brain activity is being changed by rewarding shifts toward a more appropriate and stable state. Neurofeedback takes established neural pathways - the way the brain communicates to itself - and provides positive reinforcements for desirable reactions while withholding for undesirable reactions.
The brain learns through action/consequence how to regulate itself to get desired responses. Improvement can be seen within a few sessions.
Take an autistic child who is unable to cope due to his arousal level. There is too much information to process and his brain goes into overload. By training the brain to calm down, Neurofeedback can help the autistic child to be more physically and emotionally comfortable. Autism is a developmental problem of the right brain, so from the Neurofeedback training is done in the right brain. Results vary, but for the autistim, improvements have been seen in dealing with social situations, an increase in vocabulary and a calmer demeanor.
Neurofeedback can help reduce or eliminate a broad range of symptoms including anxiety, stress reactions, depression, sleep problems, headaches and migraines, chronic pain, compulsive behavior, mood swings, stroke, traumatic brain injury, seizures, autism, attention deficits and many other dysfunctional states. Athletes use these methods to improve golf swings or free-throw percentages. Executives use it to find a higher level of efficiency and managerial qualities.
Roxana Sasu, Neurofeed-back Clinician at the Institute spoke of her own life being improved by the start of EEG therapy. Her therapy was part of her training to become an EEG Clinician. She found herself sleeping through the night, her motion sickness disappeared completely and she dealt with day-to-day aggravations with greater perspective and less frustration.
Susan and Siegfried Othmer founded the institute in 2002 to promote research, education and clinical services in Neurofeedback. In honor of their son Brian, the
Othmer's founded The Brian Othmer Foundation dedicated to developing more breakthroughs in Neurofeedback. Their work is tireless, and they have devoted a great deal of their resources at the EEG Institute and its network of EEG Clinicians to provide Neurofeedback services through the Homecoming for Veterans program, at no cost, for veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or traumatic brain injury.
The future of Neurofeedback at the EEG Institute is limitless. Clinicians foresee it being used more in a variety of medical practices as well as overcoming psychological impairments. For more information on EEG Institute therapies go to www.eeginstitute.com