Day 3 :
- Work shop
Session Introduction
Esther L Sabban
New York Medical College, USA
Title: New insights into endogenous neuropeptides in mediating response to stress
Time : 10:00-12:30
Biography:
Dr. Sabban is investigating the mechanisms that regulate neurotransmitters. Long-term abnormalities in catecholamine neurotransmission are involved in a number of prevalent diseases such as stress, cardiovascular disorders, Parkinson’s disease and depression. She is also studying animal models for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Abstract:
Considerable clinical and preclinical data delineate key roles played by endogenous neuropeptides in mediating the responses to stress and managing the consequences. Among the most important are corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP). This symposium will discuss their involvement in mediating the responses to stress and how modulation of their expression, or their modulation by selective pharmacological agents, are being used to design new methodologies to reduce harmful effects of stress. CRH: CRHin the hypothalamus initiates the activation of the HPA axis with stress by stimulating the release of ACTH from the pituitary and subsequently cortisol from the adrenal. In addition,CRH actions in extra hypothalamic regions mediate behavioral, cognitive and autonomic responses to stress. Increased CRH is associated with promotion of anxiety and fear-related behaviors. A growing body of literature suggests that stress-related disorders, such as PTSD, are associated with chronically increased activity of CRH circuits and that antagonists of the CRH receptor 1 (CRHR1) may have therapeutic utility in stress-related disorders. The major noradrenergic center of the brain, the locus coeruleus, key to mediating arousal, memory acquisition, attention and vigilance in response to stress,is an important target for CRH from hypothalamic and extra hypothalamic sources. Dr. Rita Valentino, Children’s Hospital Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania, will discuss role of the CRH system with stress with specific focus on its regulation of the noradrenergic system in the brain and sex differences. NPY: NPY is one of the most abundant and widely distributed neuropeptides in the mammalian brain.It has diverse functions in CNS and periphery including regulation of feeding behavior, blood pressure, circadian rhythm, reproductive behavior, pain as well as behavioral responses to stress.The NPYergic system plays a critical role in resilience or recovery from harmful effects of stress. In soldiers or in trauma exposed veterans increased plasma NPY levels are associated with positive coping mechanisms. Significantly lower plasma and CSF concentrations of NPY were found in individuals with combat-related PTSD. Moreover, decreased NPY levels in CSF and plasma are also observed in depressed patients. Genetic studies in humans and rodents indicate that lower NPY levels are associated with more anxiety and higher reactivity to emotional and stressful challenges. Dr. Esther Sabban, New York Medical College, will discuss the relationship of neuropeptide Y in the brain to protection from harmful effects of stress and potential ofrapid passage of NPY into the brain by intranasal infusion to attenuate development or manifestation of PTSD and other comorbid impairments with traumatic stress PACAP: PACAP is a pleiotropic neuropeptide that is an integral regulator in neuroendocrine stress circuits and stress response pathways.Mutations in the gene encoding the PACAP type 1 receptor are associated with PTSD infemale patients. Dr. Lee Eiden, NIMH, will discuss the importance of PACAP as a regulator of stress and report insights from animals unableto express PACAP.
- work shop.
Session Introduction
Graham Talley
Float On, USA
Title: The Benefits of Doing Nothing
Time : 13:30-14:00
Biography:
Graham is one of the original Float On founders. Due to ongoing insomnia growing up, his first experience with (limited) sensory deprivation was laying in bed waiting for hours to fall asleep. He has a degree in Experimental Psychology and a graduate certificate in Theater. He served on the board of the Float Tank Association, has taught donation based small business workshops for two years, and received an unofficial 4th place in the Musketeer category at the World Beard and Mustache Competition in Norway. Graham does consulting and training with Float Tank Solutions and divides time between helping new centers start-up and helping existing centers deal with unpredictable, often salty, catastrophes.
Abstract:
Our world is filled with hustle and bustle. People race around from meeting to meeting, driving through traffic surrounded by blinking advertisements, all while their phone is buzzing and sending them messages. After a day full of stimulation, our idea of relaxation is to sit down and watch a movie, another stimulus packed experience. Modern people no longer set aside time to just do nothing, but doing nothing could be one of the best things you can do. Our bodies and brains are often equipped to handle the stresses of a busy life, but periods of stress need to be balanced with periods of recuperation. Taking time to do nothing can give your body a chance to work on this recuperation. Graham Talley and Ashkahn Jahromi run a floatation tank business in Portland, OR. Float tanks (previously known as Sensory Deprivation Tanks) consist of big tubs that hold 10†of water with 850 lbs of Epsom salt mixed into it, creating a solution that is so dense that you can float right on top of the water. The water is set to skin temperature, making it feel like you’re floating in nothing at all, and the tanks are completely soundproof and completely dark. No light, no sound, no sense of touch, and almost no gravity. The ultimate nothing machine.
Biography:
Graham does consulting and training with Float Tank Solutions and divides time between helping new centers start-up and helping existing centers deal with unpredictable, often salty, catastrophes. Ashkahn Jahromi served as host and MC for the 2015 Float Conference. In preparation, he’s spent the last year high up in the Himalayan mountains, training with Tibetan monks to perfect saying “Now put your hands together for…†As one of the owners of Float On here in Portland, Oregon, Ashkahn has amassed a huge body of knowledge on float tanks, the operation of a float center, and float tank sanitation and regulations. Ashkahn presented with Graham Talley about the business philosophy that Float On practices, and speaking at the Float Center Workshop, a crash course in building and running a float center.
Abstract:
Our world is filled with hustle and bustle. People race around from meeting to meeting, driving through traffic surrounded by blinking advertisements, all while their phone is buzzing and sending them messages. After a day full of stimulation, our idea of relaxation is to sit down and watch a movie, another stimulus packed experience. Modern people no longer set aside time to just do nothing, but doing nothing could be one of the best things you can do. Our bodies and brains are often equipped to handle the stresses of a busy life, but periods of stress need to be balanced with periods of recuperation. Taking time to do nothing can give your body a chance to work on this recuperation. Graham Talley and Ashkahn Jahromi run a floatation tank business in Portland, OR. Float tanks (previously known as Sensory Deprivation Tanks) consist of big tubs that hold 10†of water with 850 lbs of Epsom salt mixed into it, creating a solution that is so dense that you can float right on top of the water. The water is set to skin temperature, making it feel like you’re floating in nothing at all, and the tanks are completely soundproof and completely dark. No light, no sound, no sense of touch, and almost no gravity. The ultimate nothing machine.