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RESEARCHERS AT NUI Galway have made an important discovery in the study of pain and the human brain.
The team – David Finn, Gemma Ford, Siobhan Kieran, Kenneth Dolan, and Brendan Harhen - have had their findings published in the leading journal Pain which shows for the first time that the hippocampus of the brain has an active role to play in suppressing pain during times of stress.
The hippocampus is usually associated with memory.
The work was carried out by the researchers in Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and the Centre for Pain Research at the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science, NUI Galway.
In times of immense stress or fear, pain transmission and perception can be suppressed in humans and other animals.
This survival response can help us cope with, or escape from, potentially life-threatening situations.
An increased understanding of the biological mechanisms involved in this so-called fear-induced analgesia is important from a fundamental physiological perspective and may also advance the search for new therapeutic approaches to the treatment of pain.
Dr David Finn, Co-Director of the Centre for Pain Research at NUI Galway, and study leader, explained:
The body can suppress pain when under extreme stress, in part through the action of marijuana-like substances produced in the brain. What we have now identified for the first time, is that the brain’s hippocampus is an important site of action of these endocannabinoids during the potent suppression of pain by fear.
Finn said it advances our fundamental understanding of the neurobiology of pain and may facilitate the identification of new therapeutic targets for the treatment of pain and anxiety disorders.
Working with Dr Finn, first author Dr Gemma Ford was able to demonstrate that inhibition of the enzyme that breaks down one of these endogenous marijuana-like substances in the hippocampus had the effect of enhancing stress-induced pain suppression.
Further experimentation revealed that these effects were mediated by the cannabinoid CB1 receptor and were likely to be mediated by stress-induced increases in levels of endocannabinoids in the hippocampus.
The research took us about two years and the team were working towards a hypothesus that the hippocampus had a role in reducing pain while the body was under stress.
It was carried out on pre-clinical models so there is now the potential for research to be carried out on humans at some point, although it would be ”much more difficult to do technically”, said Dr Finn.
Within the pain field that should be quite an important discovery and should generate some further interest in research around the world. The next step might be to try and see whether that translates to humans.
One could follow up with imaging studies in humans to investigate whether that part of the brain is active during stress induced analgesia in humans and try to understand its role in people.
For example, he said research could potentially be done in pain patients to see whether those suffering from chronic pain have any alterations to that region during stress or following stress.
The type of pain that was tested by the NUI Galway researchers was a persistent pain of the inflammatory type.
Dr Finn explained that blocking pain during times of stress can have an evolutionary survival role.
If you have suffered an injury which is causing you pain and you are at the same time in a threatening situation or stressful situation, you want to be able to get out of there and escape and survive.
Situations where this might come into play are soldiers on the battle field who don’t feel pain in their wounds, or sports people on the pitch who don’t feel the pain of injuries until the game is over.
“It allows you to cope with a threatening situation or stress for a period of time and suppress the pain until you have escaped,” said Dr Finn.
The research was funded by a grant from Science Foundation Ireland.
I truly think this is one of the most horrific crimes ever committed in the state. All murders are horrific, but even this has brought these so called gang feuds to a new low.
I truly hope they are caught and never are released from prison, people that a capable of crimes like this should never be in society.
Bew laws should be brought into tackle gang crimes, obviously a new prison should be built. But judges should hand out the 10 year sentence mandatory for certain amounts of possession and supply of drugs.
Gun possession another 10 years mandatory
Gang related murder minimum 30 year tariff on a life sentence (actually for all murder)
The only way to do stop this is by taking them off the streets, break their gangs up and snuff the big guys out… the so called Kartels
@Paul O’Sullivan: Unfortunately Paul the politicians are afraid of the Judiciary and thus refuse to force them to implement mandatory sentences. They also have a tendency to listen to academics on how to run our Prison System instead of those that actually work on the Frontline in them.
Until the Politicians grow a pair and start listening to those that actually know what will and won’t work, things will stay the same.
@Mick.: The prisons are full there is nowhere to put them all thats the problem.
@Peter Hughes: They are full because they are under the current regime of softly softy, ineffective.
There is no “Fear of Prison”. As it stands anyone convicted and sentenced automatically gets 1/4 cut off their sentence as remission. They don’t have to earn it by good behaviour. They are not required to work or attend school while in Prison, they receive a weekly gratuity from the State to spend as they see fit in the Prison Shop. They are not mandated to wear a Prison Uniform, they are given better care in Prison that many Pensioners are in care homes. They have medical staff on call 24/7/365, they have access to Psychology services, dental services, optical services all free, their diet is decided by Nutritionists, they have access to fully equipped gyms with qualifed Gym instructiors. They have education from basic literacy to University Doctorates if they so choose. They have libraries and computer workshops. They are out of cell in many cases 8 to 10 hours a day every day. And they have as much drugs as they could ever want.
There needs to be a root and branch system change in the Prison Regime. Where Prison is a place to be feared. Where hard physical labour is mandatory 6 days a week, 8 Hours a day. Where any form of resistance and disent is utterly crushed immediately and harshly.
Softly softly has been tried and has failed miserably. Time to try the opposite way.
@Mick.: what absolute rubbish.
@Shazam37: Do give us your expert opinion then. Tell what you know about the Prison Regime we currently use!
@Shazam37: Its setup like that so the inmates won’t butcher the prison gaurds.
@Peter Hughes: Not at all. It’s set up by academics and do gooders who think that criminals can be “saved and redeemed” by being soft a touchy feely. The only thing these guys respect is Fear. You Fear those more powerful and dangerous that you and you exploite those weaker than you. They laugh and sneer at those who think they are doing good. And they exploite the system currently in use because they know it is weak. Make Prisons a place of mind bending self defecating fear, and they would respect it.
@Mick.: The idea that harsh prisons deter criminals was debunked decades ago. It doesn’t do anything other than increase repeat offenders.
And even if it wasn’t it should be painfully clear that the threat of extreme violence is not deterring these guys, if they get caught by the rival gang they get executed, and that hasn’t stopped them doing anything. That should in of itself demonstrate to you that this medieval notion of crime and punishment doesn’t work as a deterrence.
@ReadOnlyIrl: Debunked by whom, the very academics that are currently listened to? One only has to look at the Prison population say 50 years ago compared to today’s. Softly Softly has failed and has been a failure for decades. There are far more people in Prison now than there has ever been. And as for rehabilitation the very best results will show about 0.05% success rate. Failed on every level. But still they cling to it, because for them to admit it has failed means they have failed.
@Mick.: Yes Mick, the people who actually study this scientifically. Not the people who go on what their gut tells them. That is in fact the point of science. Do you think Victorian Ireland when were were cutting off hands and hanging people for minor offenses were a crime free utopia?
Crime has been failing consistently across the western world as “softly softly” liberal academics have been shaping public policy. And in places that take a populist “tough on crime” approach just end up endless social problems and increase in crime rates.
It might make you personally feel better that criminals are suffering in prison but it does nothing to prevent crime.
Again these are people risking death to be in these gangs, not sure exactly what you want prisons to threaten to be worse than being shot and dismembered
@Mick.: the evidence of harsh prisons and the death penalty being a deterrent was debunked decades ago and prison that are designed around prisoner rehabilitation and prisoner focused including serial offenders are a proven resource in countries in Scandinavia and Holland where the prison population is declining at an incredible rate. My advice is research this & leave your emotions out of the discussion. It’s solutions that are needed & not emotional baggage. Also stop buying drugs illegally including cannabis. We are in part responsible for these killing.
@Mick.: apparently fat Freddy was crying like a kid when he got prison,he wanted to be moved here and there because the ones he knocked off over the years had family in there etc,and he’s apparently a high ranking cartel member
@ReadOnlyIrl: And what of those that work on the Frontline in Prisons? They are the ones that know exactly what is required not some academic that has never set foot inside a Prison let alone wore the uniform and dealt with the convicts face to face on a daily basis. Those that have to deal with consequences of those decisions made by people who spend their lives in study. It’s Frontline Prison Staff that see and deal with a convicts when they are told NO but hear ” What do you mean no, I am entitled”. And it is this sense of entitlement that they have formented.
@Aaron Jones: Horse shit. He was wandering around like a Lord making demands and getting them.
@Mjhint: As yes the “Scandinavia” argument. I was wondering when that would appear. One simple question to that. Do we live in a Scandinavian society? What works in a society different to ours doesn’t work here. Rehabilition is a failure. One only has to look the the vast majority of convicts in our Prisons. 100+ Convictions is more common than not, multiple times in Prison is the norm. So if rehabilitation is working why are our Prisons full of repeat offenders?
Quite obviously it is a failed policy. The Square Peg won’t go into the Round Hole no matter how much you turn it. So it is time to admit and accept the policy has failed dismally.
@Mick.: I would to know where you get your horse shit from?
@Aaron Jones: love to know
@Aaron Jones: First hand experience.
@Paul O’Sullivan: the reality is that this won’t work either. USA has some of the harshest sentencing for the crimes you have described. Hasnt made a dent in criminal activity. For some the rewards are worth the risk. Simple as that. While the demand for narcotics is there then criminal activity will be too.
@Mick.: we live in Europe we are European so tell me how you view Scandinavia as a remote exotic part of the world when you can fly there very quickly. Holland was also mentioned. I’m giving you evidence to show your views are wrong. It’s not a personal attack.
@Mjhint: Never said it was remote or exotic just different. Just as for example Bulgararian Society or Italian society is different to ours. We have different sociatal norms and expectations. Take Switzerland, they expect their public transport to run to the exact second. In Spain it’s normal to break for several hours during the middle of the day. In Greece tax evasion is the national sport. All different societies to ours, all with different expectations and needs.
@Mick.: poor examples again. Spain does not have a siesta period because of a different human behaviour it stems from farm workers working in the summertime during the warm months of the year. It’s a worker protection practice. Tax evasion in Greece? You think that’s just a Greek trait. What’s your view of the blatant non tax paying corps in Ireland who are protected by the law to tax evade. No Switzerland doesn’t have that type of train network. That’s Japan. You seem to be promoting stereotypes here. Get on a train in Switzerland. It’s better than Ireland but far from perfect.
Hate to use the word ‘internment’ but I think the state has to go down this road or something similar. I know the Brits used it against the Provo’s and all that went on around that but something drastic needs to be employed now. Gather them all up. The Garda know who they are.
@Vin: they have nowhere to put them
The guards are well aware of who done this atrocious crime, it was much more than a sinister crime but meant to send out a message ” mess with us and this is what will happen ” .. the body parts were systematically placed in areas where the gang has rivals. As the quote from training day goes ” it’s not what you know it’s what you can prove ” .. rest in peace to this young man
@Sean Kelly: half of whats app are aware too
Horrendous crime. Carried out by drugs gang made up of overlords ,who use individuals of the same age and mind set of the victim( that have chosen drug dealing as a lifestyle choice) to carry out intimidation and open street drug dealing .Zero tolerance required regardless of what age they are and the hug a thug brigade approach doesn’t work.
@Mark Mccormack: Well said Mark. As we know our current Prison System is simply not a deterrent. Many of these young guys look at the current Prison regime as soft and a place to hang with their mates. There is no mandatory hard physical labour, there is virtually no punishment for criminal activities within the system.
Our system should match if not exceed the Japanese Prison System.
The softly softly approach has failed and been failing for decades. And we know that doing the same thing again and again and expecting a different outcome is a sign of insanity.
@Mick.: I d live to b there when they’re “made” carry out this hard labour
@eileen boles: Simple you refuse you get punished harshly. And I am not talking about taking away their X Box.
Don’t go saying the ‘poor lad’ and how terrible this was.. do you even know what he done to an old lady? Her son owed money, she paid it after getting a loan and this little toe rag stalked her, broke her windows, and threw petrol bombs into her living room while she lived on her own after paying off the debt. He was in 2 gangs and also giving info to both sides. He chose this life and chose the life of a gouger now he’s dead and people want to feel sorry for him? Anybody feeling sorry for the lives he terrorised and caused harm to? This should be a warning to young people wanting this life or crime and gangs.
@jason traynor: That all may be so , I’m absolutely not excusing anything he may have done. However you have to understand the grooming process to see the bigger picture. They are targeted and brought in given drugs clothes and the big man encouragement. They are looking for some sort of nurturing healthy or not. then end up in drug debts and have to do these terrible acts with very little choice. It is often a tactic of the dealers to have them working for both sides. I know someone who was caught up in drug debt for 10 years by two dealers, he would sell for one to pay off the other and so the cycle continued. The dealers were more then happy for this to continue. So yes this kid did some awful stuff, that ladys son was also caught up in drugs do you not hold him responsible ?
@LittleBee: A professional criminal would have left the old lady alone after the debt was paid. A sociopath would continue to harass à defenceless vulnerable innocent because he could and because it made him feel good. The world is a better place without
@LittleBee: A professional criminal would have left the old lady alone after the debt was paid. A sociopath would continue to harass à defenceless vulnerable innocent because he could and because it made him feel good. The world is a better place without him
A homeless crisis; a trolley crisis; a charge what you want 5G crisis and build a hospital for the price of four. Now swathes of the place handed over to feuding drug cartels. Welcome to FFG land.
@JustJack: FG voters dont care they just look after themselves… Same again…
Regardless of this lads history, it’s important to remember he was a child. The savage monsters who have committed such an atrocity against this kid and his family need to be rooted out and put where they can never see or take part in civil society again. This is beyond evil.
Rest in Peace kid.
@James Gannon: whatever the answer is this isn’t it. Due process is there for a reason.
@JDel: you have evidence of crimes that have been committed? Then you should pass that on to the Gardaí and not make unsubstantiated claims on a public forum. Show some sense of decorum.
@James Gannon: Ye thick
@James Gannon: It’s important to remember Boys A & B were children. As was Ana Kriegel. Remember that, and the names of Robert Thompson and Jon Venables – especially Venables, who reoffended first chance he got – next time you spout nonsense about the universal innocence of children. Evil doesn’t GAF about how old you are.
Karma!
@Gigi: You must have zero empathy. Heartless.
@Marie McG: why should we have sympathy for someone who firebombs people’s houses? his family are involved in criminality. the “kid”‘s christening godfather was Owen Maguire, google him. none of these people deserve sympathy. sooner they’re all wiped out, the better.
@JDel: I take my words back. Upon further reading I have realised this Keane fella was a horrible thug. He threatened a mother for money owed by her sons. She eventually gave Keane the money yet he abducted her cat and murdered it.
RIP.
A massive change in drug policy is needed
How much of this is releated to Austerity? As wages have been lowered and lowered kids see the only people in their communities with money as the gangs instead of teachers and nurses who they see struggle.
@Niall Dunne: “How much of this is releated to Austerity?” Very little, probably. A large part of the demand for drugs is driven by the Centic Tiger 2.0.
Anybody who has ever bought, sold or used cocaine is culpable in this death and many more. If there is no demand, there will be no market and no suppliers. Those who think that a little usage is harmless are deluding themselves.
So-called ‘casual users’ should face the risk of prison.
@Jim Higgins: Ah yes. Lock up anyone who has used drugs. The war on drugs will then be won. You’re deluded.
@Jim Higgins: @Sean Kelly Then they will just start doing some other illigal activity that gangs can fight over.
Slim chance but i hope they catch them
At least his family had a body to bury unlike the families of Willie Maughan 35 and his girlfriend Anastasija Varslavane 21 missing from Meath since April 2015 believed by his family to have been murdered. dont see any of the media overkill and weeping and gnashing of teeth over this young missing couple…most readers will go who you talking about we’ll google the names read the story and tell me that this crime of a double murder is any less evil than a wannabe hard man who lived by sword and died by it.at least the guards warned him this couple got no warning and families have no closure no bodies to mourn no graves to visit so spare me the i am going to organise a protest by Drogheda Lord Mayor and snowflake wringing of hands for a thug.
Capital punishment needs to be seriously considered…in cases like this..
Absolutely no sympathy for him. He was a violent criminal, the kind of person who would kill you in the blink of an eye
100 years ago these kids would have been sent off to fight in the “ Great War” by governments. Little has changed still being used as Canon fodder.
Look at the clothes list he was wearing, look at the bling, look at the pose with the dog.
Just look!
Notwithstanding the utter barbarism of what was done to this lad, he received a suspended sentence recently for terrorising a family. Had he been given 2 years inside , he just might have been turned . You have to ask what sort of an upbringing turns an Irish lad of 17 that bad?
As for the vermin that carries this out, while of life tariffs should be applied . By their barbarity they have removed themselves from civilised society . No nonsense about rehabilitation etc
No matter what you call the people that dismembered the body; no matter what crimes any of these people, including the victim, committed; one thing is for sure the people that cut another person’s head off will pay later in life with those images etched into their mind… Imagine a life of that scene in your head. I feel sorry for them in a way…
@Davy Sanders: they won’t have a later life, they will be dead one way or another within the next few years.
@Davy Sanders: If they are capable of committing this, they’d probably enjoy that image etched in they’re memory.
lets pray 4 the next 1 soon…..
This is mad this lads head was decapitated from his body, ducking hell.
@WESTY: Mad, Ted.
Poor “child”…Most likely, would not end up anything great in our society
@Luke13: Imagine him being around for another 60 years. No thank you.
Greater Garda visibility is not enough on its own.
What appears to be absent is solid and timely intelligence.
Dail Eireann without question allocate approriate resources of the highest order.
This is not an issue for FF FG SF GP LP it is a scream that the Dail speak loudly and clearly that this debased barbaric behaviour will not be tolerated .
I grieve for the boys family and for what this young lad could have been.
why are comments allowed on this murder story?
Absolutely horrendous barbaric act. To think some people on here are actually saying this young lad “deserved” what happened to him !?!? What’s wrong with you people???
@Tracey Montgomery:
Instead of hitting the books, and living a teenage lifestyle, he choose himself the adult gangsta life…What did he expect? A Noble Peace prize?
@Tracey Montgomery: He deserved to be permanently removed from human society. As for his age, Boys A & B were younger than him & from a totally different economic & social background. Youth doesn’t preclude being evil. That said, those that not only killed but then chopped him up probably need to take a good long hard look at themselves…
Absolutely barbaric evil act. He was a child. To think that some people on here think he “deserved” this!!! What’s wrong with you people?!?!
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