One of the easiest Google searches I've done in a while, because I was pretty sure that over the past decade this question has been resolved. We know precisely how aspirin works, quoting:
"Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and indomethacin, work by inhibiting an enzyme that produces prostaglandins -- hormone-like messenger molecules that trigger processes in the body, including inflammation. The Chicago researchers have shown that aspirin splits into two parts and affixes one part to the enzyme, permanently altering its chemical structure and blocking the reaction that produces prostaglandins. Aspirin is the only NSAID known to work in this manner." http://chronicle.uchicago.edu/950817/aspirin.shtml Quoting another site that has cool animation: "Prostaglandins are potent mediators of inflammation. The first and committed step in the production of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid is the bis-oxygenation of arachindonate to prostaglandin PGG2. This is followed by reduction to PGH2 in a peroxidase reaction. Both these reactions are catalyzed by cyclooxygenase, also known as PGH synthase. Cyclooxygenase (COX) is inhibited by the family of drugs known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. Aspirin, ibuprofen, flurbiprofen and acetaminophen (trade name Tylenol) are all NSAIDs. There are two isoforms of COX in animals: COX-1, which carries out normal, physiological production of prostaglandins, and COX-2, which is induced by cytokines, mitogens and endotoxins in inflammatory cells, and which is responsible for the production of prostaglandins in inflammation." http://cti.itc.virginia.edu/~cmg/Demo/pdb/cycox/cycox.html Do we know that much about how EMDR works? Paul C. Bernhardt Department of Psychology Frostburg State University Frostburg, Maryland -----Original Message----- From: Dr. Bob Wildblood [mailto:drb...@rcn.com] Sent: Sun 10/4/2009 11:43 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: Re: [tips] clinical workers and evidence Gerald Peterson wrote: >Here is an interesting article about the problems of evidence-based clinical >workers. I don't like them calling all therapists psychologists, nor the >subtitle of psychologists rejecting science, and it's a bit of >over-simplification, but might be of interest to some. See: >http://www.newsweek.com/id/216506 > Having been a counselor/therapist for 33 years, there is lots in this article to agree with. Many clinicians and physicians do rely more on intuition than on science in making decisions as to how to treat a client/patient with a particular disorder (taking into consideration that diagnosis is, itself, not very scientific in many cases, especially psychology/psychiatry). That being said, there are manhy of us who do rely on the use of "evidence based therapies" especially those which are supported strongly by research. In fact, our beloved insurance companies are beginning to know what kind of therapy is being used for what diagnosis, and I have heard (anecdotes, to be sure) that some people have been refused reimbursement if certain therapies are not used with certain diagnoses. Interestingly (to possibly start a firestorm here) one of the therapies which has as much or more research than any other is EMDR and its use in PTSD resulting from a multitude of causes, because w! e don't know what sense there is behind it that can explain how it might work. Since I am an advocate of EMDR, have read the research, and have seen the results with my own clients starting with Vietnam veterans (in my experience since about 1994, not immediately after the conflict was finally abandoned) I submit that it is an evidence based therapy and as to how it works, I submit that we know as much about how it works as we do about how aspirin works. In sum, not a bad article although it is a bit simplified. Robert W. Wildblood, PhD Riverside Counseling Center and Adjunct at Germanna CC, Fredericksburg, VA drb...@rcn.com The soundest argument will produce no more conviction in an empty head than the most superficial declamation; as a feather and a guinea fall with equal velocity in a vacuum. - Charles Caleb Colton, author and clergyman (1780-1832) Not thinking critically, I assumed that the "successful" prayers were proof that God answers prayer while the failures were proof that there was something wrong with me. - Dan Barker, former preacher, musician (b. 1949) We have an obligation and a responsibility to be investing in our students and our schools. We must make sure that people who have the grades, the desire and the will, but not the money, can still get the best education possible. - Barack Obama, President of the United States of America --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly (bsouthe...@frostburg.edu) --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly (bsouthe...@frostburg.edu)
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