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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Neal on March 18, 2009, at 16:07:03
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In a recent Scientific American article (Feb,2009), a brain researcher describes experiments with rats in which the production of new cells in the brain is studied. In mammal brains new cells are constantly being created; they just as quickly die out; unless, they're needed to learn new tricks, tasks, etc. Then they stick around. With aknowlegements to Scientific American, here's the article's beginning:" * Thousands of new cells are generated in the adult brain every day, particularly in the hippocampus, a structure involved in learning and memory.
* Within a couple of weeks, most of those newborn neurons will die, unless the animal is challenged to learn something new. Learningespecially that involving a great deal of effortcan keep these new neurons alive.
* Although the neurons do not seem to be necessary for most types of learning, they may play a role in predicting the future based on past experience. Enhancing neurogenesis might therefore help slow cognitive decline and keep healthy brains fit.If you watch TV, read magazines or surf the Web, you have probably encountered advertisements urging you to exercise your mind. Various brain fitness programs encourage people to stay mentally limber by giving their brain a daily workoutdoing everything from memorizing lists and solving puzzles to estimating the number of trees in Central Park.
It sounds a bit gimmicky, but such programs may have a real basis in neurobiology. Recent work, albeit mostly in rats, indicates that learning enhances the survival of new neurons in the adult brain. And the more engaging and challenging the problem, the greater the number of neurons that stick around. These neurons are then presumably available to aid in situations that tax the mind. It seems, then, that a mental workout can buff up the brain, much as physical exercise builds up the body."
_____________________________________________Here's the part with particular significance to this board:
" . . Antidepressants have been found to be powerful modulators of neurogenesis. And a study in 2007 found that chronic treatment with antidepressants increases daily living and global functioning in patients with Alzheimersa hint, at least, that such therapy might promote production and survival of new neurons in patients."
The entire article can be found at: http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=saving-new-brain-cells&page=5
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*I know that some of this may have been discussed here awhile back.-
Posted by Phillipa on March 19, 2009, at 0:16:04
In reply to ADs May Help Production + Survival of New Neurons, posted by Neal on March 18, 2009, at 16:07:03
Seriously I do not like puzzels and doing cross word puzzels but maybe my Ocd of adding license plates will help. Assign a number to each alphabet letter depending on what letter number of alphabet it is and add them up. Love Phillipa
Posted by Neal on March 19, 2009, at 0:25:56
In reply to Re: ADs May Help Production + Survival of New Neurons » Neal, posted by Phillipa on March 19, 2009, at 0:16:04
Phillipa,
That's a good one. Mine's trying to remember the names of the supporting actors in old movies.
Posted by Neal on March 19, 2009, at 21:02:15
In reply to ADs May Help Production + Survival of New Neurons, posted by Neal on March 18, 2009, at 16:07:03
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I incorrectley gave page 5 of the article. Sorry for the inconvenience. Here's the correct link:http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=saving-new-brain-cells
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Posted by Phillipa on March 20, 2009, at 19:59:17
In reply to Re: ADs May Help - CORRECTION OF WEB-LINK, posted by Neal on March 19, 2009, at 21:02:15
Thanks Neal interesting article. Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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