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Journal of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation Research | Volume 4
November 04-05, 2019 | Melbourne, Australia
Neurology and Neurological Disorders
19
th
International Conference on
J Neurol Neurorehabil Res, Volume 4
Tracing the effects of Epigenetic factors on midface growth, upper airway collapse and
intermittent Hypoxia
David Zimmerman
TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centers, New Zealand
C
onsidering the causes of the sharp rise of primary human
pathologies during the last half of the 19th century,
rationalization showed that while alcohol and tobacco were
major factors, it is sucrose (cane and beet sugar) that poses
the greatest problem. The pathway starts with exposure to
these three epigenetic factors in early embryonic growth,
before the facial skeleton is determined. Such exposure
induces HOX genes into midface growth, normally the sole
prerogative of Neural Crest cells. Such induction leads to a
truncation of midface growth and resulting in a smaller naso-
maxilla and oro-pharynx. This opens two pathways, the first
being impaired breathing where intermittent falls and rise of
cerebral oxygen induces recruitment of Hypoxia- Induced-
Factors [HIF’s]. These peptides ‘turn- on’ the systemic
inflammatory chemical factory producing the chemical
products that generate systemic inflammation that sponsors
andmaintainsmost of human pathology. The second pathway
that that of distalising of the mandible and compressing the
soft tissues of the vascular bed of the TMJ which are highly
populated with type 4 nociceptors and is thereby arguably
converted into themost ‘most-painful’ joint in the body. This is
now a well evidenced claim and the combination of systemic
inflammation and of a cortical barrage of sub-clinical barrage
of nociceptive signaling subtends most disorders associated
with this pattern, principally those ranking high in morbidity.
Speaker Biography
David Zimmerman has graduated as a general dentist long ago. An interest
in orthodontics became one in craniofacial growth, TMD and sleep. The
broadspectrumofmaladieswithacommonthreadofOSA/SDBdemanded
rationalizing. The presentation is a short form of these links and of their
clinical significance. Dr. Zimmerman is currently involved in examining the
relationship between adaptive posture, altered weight distribution and
its involving lumbar flexion and damage in attaining weight equilibrium.
Understanding adverse lumbar loading is key to reducing both lateral
segment damage and reducing the incidence of spinal surgeries.
e:
david@tfdental.co.nz