Berkeley Pharma Tech Journal of Medicine

Long-Term Effects of Hormonal Oral Contraceptives on Adolescents’ Mental Health

Mythili Nair — 2024-12-27

Adolescence is a critical stage of development marked by profound physical, emotional, and psychological changes. During this period, many adolescents turn to contraceptives for various reasons, including contraception, menstrual regulation, and addressing medical conditions. However, the potential impact of contraceptives on the mental health of adolescents remains a topic of significant concern and debate.This paper serves as a review of current literature on oral contraceptives, which are the most commonly prescribed form of contraceptives to adolescents, and concentrate on research that correlates OC’s with heightened depression symptoms. The synthesis of findings in this review aims to inform healthcare professionals and researchers about the importance of further research on the topic and to help young individuals acquire a deeper comprehension of the long-term mental health implications associated with oral contraceptive use during adolescence.

Cognitive and Mobility Enhancement through Brain-Machine Interfaces and Neuroengineering

Roshni Nandwani — 2024-12-27

Brain-machine connections and neuroengineering are technologies that can be used to act as a direct communication pathway between the brain’s electrical activity and an external device. This paper explores the realm of Brain-Machine Interfaces (BMIs) and neuroengineering technologies, focusing on their potential to address cognitive and mobility impairments. This comprehensive literature review delves into the current state of BMI technology, emphasizing its applications in stroke rehabilitation, paralysis management, prosthetics, memory enhancement, and communication solutions for speech impairments. Various methodologies, from invasive to non-invasive techniques, are examined for their impact on patients’ quality of life. While these advancements hold great promise, they also pose ethical and practical challenges, including the need for further clinical testing, algorithm refinement, and affordability concerns. The future of BMIs is envisioned considering the role of artificial intelligence in expanding their possibilities and reflecting on the ethical considerations in deploying these technologies. This review provides valuable insights into the current landscape of BMIs, their potential for enhancing human capabilities, and the critical issues that must be addressed as the field progresses.

Exploring the Role of Senescent Cells in Neurodegenerative Pathology: A Window Into Promising Therapeutic Avenues

Gabriela Bentolila — 2024-12-27

There is strong evidence that cellular senescence is involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Presence of abnormal tau protein in mouse models is implicated in senescence phenotypes leading to cognitive decline, while the significance of pro-inflammatory molecules called senescence-associated secretory phenotypes (SASPs) in inflammation and degeneration highlights its potential importance in disease treatment. Understanding the involvement of senescence in disease progression is vital to develop effective treatment strategies. Clearance of such cells can be performed through senolytics drugs that disturb non-apoptosis pathways. Alternatively, senomorphics involve the suppression of senescence burden, rather than elimination through apoptosis, through the intervention of SASP factors that elicit neuroinflammation and tau toxicity. Other therapeutic approaches involve targeting mitochondrial dysfunction to attenuate neuroinflammation and senescence stressors, thereby preventing the formation of a feedback loop. This review offers insights into the mechanisms of neuro-degeneration driven by cellular senescence in the brain and outlines novel therapeutic strategies to reduce the senescence burden and slow disease progression.

Exploring Ethical Frontiers: A Content Analysis of Perceptions Surrounding Genetic Editing in Mental Health Treatments Over Time

Kellin Vu — 2024-12-27

Genetic editing has become a pivotal biotechnology tool in healthcare, enabling precise manipulation of DNA through insertions, deletions, modifications, or replacements. Its applications have expanded from treating monogenic diseases to addressing polygenic conditions, including potential mental health therapies. This study examines public sentiment and ethical considerations surrounding genetic editing systems like CRISPR- Cas9, zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs). Analyzing a decade of medical literature, the research highlights a growing public acceptance of these technologies despite ethical concerns, such as off-target effects and unintended consequences. Positive sentiment trends indicate that social acceptance may support the integration of genetic editing in mental health treatments, driving advancements in healthcare. Addressing risks, including long-term impacts and ethical dilemmas, remains critical for responsible implementation. As public attitudes continue to improve, genetic editing may become a widely accepted therapeutic approach, fostering innovation in healthcare. Future research should focus on mitigating risks and enhancing the safety and efficacy of genetic editing to ensure its sustainable development and adoption.

Exploring the Intricacies of Neuroinvasive Infections: A Comprehensive Analysis of SARS-CoV-2’s Impact on the Nervous System

Fantasia Obomanu — 2024-12-27

Infectious diseases have had significant threats to human health, with neurological complications as a challenging frontier in the realm of medical science. Neuroinvasive infections are caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or protozoa and can lead to various neurological problems such as meningitis, encephalitis, abscesses, myelitis, and neuromuscular dysfunction. Among these pathogens, viruses, including Dengue, West Nile, and most recently SARS-CoV-2, have emerged as potent human pathogens capable of inflicting severe damage to the central nervous system (CNS), culminating in hemorrhagic diseases.