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Biomedical subjects

G A Ulett

Publications and source records attributed to G A Ulett.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Electroacupuncture: mechanisms and clinical application.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese method to treat diseases and relieve pain. We have conducted a series of studies to examine the mechanisms of this ancient method for pain relief. This article reviews some of our major findings. Our studies showed that acupuncture produces analgesic effect and that electroacupuncture (EA) is more effective than manual acupuncture. Furthermore, electrical stimulation via skin patch electrodes is as effective as EA. The induction and recovering profiles of acupuncture analgesia suggest the involvement of humoral factors. This notion was supported by cross-perfusion experiments in which acupuncture-induced analgesic effect was transferred from the donor rabbit to the recipient rabbit when the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was transferred. The prevention of EA-induced analgesia by naloxone and by antiserum against endorphins suggests that endorphins are involved. More recent work demonstrated the release of endorphins into CSF following EA. In addition, low frequency (2 Hz) and high frequency (100 Hz) of EA selectively induces the release of enkephalins and dynorphins in both experimental animals and humans. Clinical studies suggesting its effectiveness for the treatment of various types of pain, depression, anxiety, spinally induced muscle spasm, stroke, gastrointestinal disorders, and drug addiction were also discussed.

Acupuncture Analgesia↗
PubMed1998

Traditional and evidence-based acupuncture: history, mechanisms, and present status.

BACKGROUND: In 1983, the Southern Medical Journal advised its readers that a scientific basis might underlie the popular practice of ancient Chinese acupuncture. Recent studies have proven this to be correct, and a 1997 National Institutes of Health consensus panel recommended acupuncture as a useful clinical procedure. METHODS: Pertinent articles in the literature were reviewed, including our own research. Significantly, we had access to recent important studies from China. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Most of the 10,000 acupuncturists in the country today practice metaphysically explained "meridian theory" acupuncture using needles to supposedly remove blockages of a hypothesized substance "Qi." Scientific research has shown that healing is not by manipulating Qi but rather by neuroelectric stimulation for the gene expression of neuropeptides. Needles are not necessary. Evidence-based neuroelectric acupuncture requires no metaphysical rituals. It is a simple, useful clinical tool for pain modulation and other conditions and can be easily taught to physicians.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1996

Conditioned healing with electroacupuncture.

Increasing interest in mind-body medicine has spawned numerous methods that demonstrate the power of imagery and belief to favorably influence the course of disease. Few methods, however, link the occurrence of a healing response with a demonstrated, specific, targeted body chemical. Even hypnosis and biofeedback, which direct their effects at targeted body systems, have been hypothesized to work by means of general relaxation. Research from China has demonstrated that neuroelectric acupuncture with stimulation at specific frequencies releases neuropeptides in human cerebrospinal fluid. Combining such stimulation with imagery as the conditional stimulus opens up the possibility for a conditioning paradigm of mind-body, patient-participant healing using specific healing neurohormones. This article discusses developments leading to the scientization of traditional acupuncture and its possible mechanism as a means for such conditioned healing. The demonstrated usefulness of this technique is based on patients' reports of symptom relief. Many variables should be considered, though ultimate verification will depend on serial sampling of cerebrospinal fluid.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1988

Acupuncture update.

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Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1975

Cytotoxic testing and leucocyte increase as an index to food sensitivity. II. Coffee and tobacco.

Cytotoxic testing has been used to identify and evaluate potential sensitizers among three adult age groups. Coffee and toabacco were used as single sensitizers to further illustrate the vivo WBC response technique, as an independent test for corroborating was advanced outlining a possible explanation of the cytotoxic test results. This theoretical approach might be used to study clinical problems where allergic etiologies are suspected.

Adult↗