Submited on: 24 Feb 2011 07:42:23 PM GMT
Published on: 25 Feb 2011 10:20:31 PM GMT
 
Review of “Is Yawning A Warning, Neurologically?’
Posted by Ms. Catherine Van Doorn on 01 Nov 2017 01:41:35 PM GMT Reviewed by Interested Peers

  • What are the main claims of the paper and how important are they?

    Yawning may be a way to identify underlying neurological problems, for example, the possibility of linking yawning with stroke, Alzheimer’s, etc. 

    Contagious yawning may be a result of a form of empathy, or possibly mirror neurons at work. 


    These claims are important, as the second point gives background and potential reasons for the ubiquitous ‘contagious yawn’. The first point is very interesting and opens the door for an entirely new area of research that could give clinicians a non-invasive tool to ascertain the status or presence of some neurological conditions. 


  • Are these claims novel? If not, please specify papers that weaken the claims to the originality of this one.

    Yes, the first claim is novel. As the author states, only a few other labs have begun looking at linking yawning to underlying conditions, however there are very few. 


  • Are the claims properly placed in the context of the previous literature?

    Yes, the claims are in line with previous literature and were well-cited.


  • Do the results support the claims? If not, what other evidence is required?

    This paper is a review article of the current literature and therefore there are no results, however the interpretation of the literature is sound. 


  • If a protocol is provided, for example for a randomized controlled trial, are there any important deviations from it? If so, have the authors explained adequately why the deviations occurred?

    Not applicable to this particular paper.


  • Is the methodology valid? Does the paper offer enough details of its methodology that its experiments or its analyses could be reproduced?

    The literature search is valid, there are a variety of papers cited. 


  • Would any other experiments or additional information improve the paper? How much better would the paper be if this extra work was done, and how difficult would such work be to do, or to provide?

    I would have loved to see an expansion on the interpretation of the work of the Walusinski lab that the author cited, that seemed to be a crucial part of the claim that yawning is linked to underlying conditions. 


  • Is this paper outstanding in its discipline? (For example, would you like to see this work presented in a seminar at your hospital or university? Do you feel these results need to be incorporated in your next general lecture on the subject?) If yes, what makes it outstanding? If not, why not?

    The paper has been written very well, it seems to have a natural pace and flow to it. The topic is very interesting and would make a great seminar. 


  • Other Comments:

    The paper was a great read. 

  • Competing interests:
    .
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    No
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:
    None
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    Student

  • How to cite:  Van Doorn C .Review of “Is Yawning A Warning, Neurologically?’ [Review of the article 'Is Yawning A Warning, Neurologically? ' by Thompson S].WebmedCentral 2017;8(11):WMCRW003374
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Yawning relating to trauma
Posted by Ms. Holly Chinnery on 18 May 2011 09:11:31 AM GMT

1 Is the subject of the article within the scope of the subject category? Yes
2 Are the interpretations / conclusions sound and justified by the data? Yes
3 Is this a new and original contribution? Yes
4 Does this paper exemplify an awareness of other research on the topic? Yes
5 Are structure and length satisfactory? Yes
6 Can you suggest brief additions or amendments or an introductory statement that will increase the value of this paper for an international audience? No
7 Can you suggest any reductions in the paper, or deletions of parts? No
8 Is the quality of the diction satisfactory? Yes
9 Are the illustrations and tables necessary and acceptable? Yes
10 Are the references adequate and are they all necessary? Yes
11 Are the keywords and abstract or summary informative? Yes
  • Other Comments:

    A very intriguing area with great potential for future research

  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    Yes
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:
    None
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    Clinical Researcher

  • How to cite:  Chinnery H .Yawning relating to trauma[Review of the article 'Is Yawning A Warning, Neurologically? ' by Thompson S].WebmedCentral 2017;2(5):WMCRW00756
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"Is Yawing a Warning"................
Posted by Mr. Brian Thompson on 07 May 2011 10:21:56 AM GMT

1 Is the subject of the article within the scope of the subject category? Yes
2 Are the interpretations / conclusions sound and justified by the data? Yes
3 Is this a new and original contribution? Yes
4 Does this paper exemplify an awareness of other research on the topic? Yes
5 Are structure and length satisfactory? Yes
6 Can you suggest brief additions or amendments or an introductory statement that will increase the value of this paper for an international audience? No
7 Can you suggest any reductions in the paper, or deletions of parts? No
8 Is the quality of the diction satisfactory? Yes
9 Are the illustrations and tables necessary and acceptable? Yes
10 Are the references adequate and are they all necessary? Yes
11 Are the keywords and abstract or summary informative? Yes
  • Other Comments:

    A well written paper; researchers should read this.

  • Competing interests:
    No
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    Yes
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:
    None
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    Assisting in rehabilitation.

  • How to cite:  Thompson B ."Is Yawing a Warning"................[Review of the article 'Is Yawning A Warning, Neurologically? ' by Thompson S].WebmedCentral 2017;2(5):WMCRW00731
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Is Yawning A Warning, Neurologically?
Posted by Ms. Natalie Jones on 10 Mar 2011 03:51:10 PM GMT

1 Is the subject of the article within the scope of the subject category? Yes
2 Are the interpretations / conclusions sound and justified by the data? Yes
3 Is this a new and original contribution? Yes
4 Does this paper exemplify an awareness of other research on the topic? Yes
5 Are structure and length satisfactory? Yes
6 Can you suggest brief additions or amendments or an introductory statement that will increase the value of this paper for an international audience? No
7 Can you suggest any reductions in the paper, or deletions of parts? No
8 Is the quality of the diction satisfactory? Yes
9 Are the illustrations and tables necessary and acceptable? Yes
10 Are the references adequate and are they all necessary? Yes
11 Are the keywords and abstract or summary informative? Yes
  • Other Comments:

     

    This is a fascinating topic and is of such interest to neurologists, neuroscientists and clinical psychologists, and the like. I know that the author is well known in Alzheimer's reseach and has applied neurological knowledge to this intriguing area. It is an area that I believe will be invaluable in terms of our greater understanding of neurological disorders, as the author suggests, and how yawning can be a signal to underlying neuropathways and anomolies.

     

  • Competing interests:
    none
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    Yes
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:
    None
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    Assisting rehabilitation

     

     

  • How to cite:  Jones N .Is Yawning A Warning, Neurologically?[Review of the article 'Is Yawning A Warning, Neurologically? ' by Thompson S].WebmedCentral 2017;2(3):WMCRW00570
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Great review, I recommend it
Posted by Dr. Alice M Proverbio on 03 Mar 2011 01:00:33 PM GMT

1 Is the subject of the article within the scope of the subject category? Yes
2 Are the interpretations / conclusions sound and justified by the data? Yes
3 Is this a new and original contribution? Yes
4 Does this paper exemplify an awareness of other research on the topic? Yes
5 Are structure and length satisfactory? Yes
6 Can you suggest brief additions or amendments or an introductory statement that will increase the value of this paper for an international audience? No
7 Can you suggest any reductions in the paper, or deletions of parts? No
8 Is the quality of the diction satisfactory? Yes
9 Are the illustrations and tables necessary and acceptable? Yes
10 Are the references adequate and are they all necessary? Yes
11 Are the keywords and abstract or summary informative? Yes
  • Other Comments:

    Its' a comprehensive, state-of-the-art, well-written review. I found it stimulating and highly informative.

  • Competing interests:
    NO
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    No
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:
    None
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    I am a neuroscientist and I know the properties of the Mirror Neuron System (MNS)

  • How to cite:  Proverbio A M.Great review, I recommend it[Review of the article 'Is Yawning A Warning, Neurologically? ' by Thompson S].WebmedCentral 2017;2(3):WMCRW00544
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Is yawning a warning, neurologically?
Posted by Dr. Harinder Jaseja on 28 Feb 2011 11:18:04 AM GMT

1 Is the subject of the article within the scope of the subject category? Partly
2 Are the interpretations / conclusions sound and justified by the data? No
3 Is this a new and original contribution? No
4 Does this paper exemplify an awareness of other research on the topic? Yes
5 Are structure and length satisfactory? No
6 Can you suggest brief additions or amendments or an introductory statement that will increase the value of this paper for an international audience? Yes
7 Can you suggest any reductions in the paper, or deletions of parts? No
8 Is the quality of the diction satisfactory? Yes
9 Are the illustrations and tables necessary and acceptable? No
10 Are the references adequate and are they all necessary? Yes
11 Are the keywords and abstract or summary informative? No
  • Other Comments:

    None

  • Competing interests:
    No
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    No
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:
    None
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    Significant.

  • How to cite:  Jaseja H .Is yawning a warning, neurologically?[Review of the article 'Is Yawning A Warning, Neurologically? ' by Thompson S].WebmedCentral 2017;2(2):WMCRW00523
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