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Neurogenesis - This Isn't Science Fiction

  • Writer: Patricia Faust
    Patricia Faust
  • Jan 19, 2019
  • 2 min read

Updated: Jan 24, 2019


Every time I hear the word neurogenesis the soundtrack for 2001 A Space Odyssey pops into my head. The difference is – the movie was science fiction and neurogenesis is grounded in science. Neurogenesis is the birth of brain cells. Up until twenty years ago this concept of growing new brain cells was considered science fiction. The consensus among neuroscientists was that our brain developed through childhood and the teens and then stopped. The brain we had at that point would decline as we aged. Our brains were considered fixed.

Aging is tough on our brains. Neurons (brain cells) are dying as we age and our brain shrinks. There is substantial cell loss in the hippocampus, the center for learning and memory, as well as the prefrontal cortex which is responsible for executive function such as planning and decision-making. These changes are noticeable by changes in memory capabilities and slower speed of processing. It was an accepted fact that was what happened to the brain as we got older and there wasn’t anything we could do about it.


Researchers then discovered that we have neural stem cells throughout our brain and they constantly replenish and differentiate into brain neurons. This was a huge discovery and changed the way we thought about the brain forever. There has to be an initiator for this process of neurogenesis to happen. The process of neurogenesis is controlled by our DNA to produce that initiator – Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). It was discovered that there was a decrease in BDNF in Alzheimer’s patients and certain neurological conditions. What research has found is that the factors that influence our DNA to produce BDNF are under our control. The gene that turns on BDNF is activated by physical exercise. In essence, we have control to turn on our BDNF and start neurogenesis! Studies on aging mice revealed that physical activity, as a voluntary exercise, increased the number of newborn neurons in the hippocampus, the center for learning and memory.

The Journal of the American Medical Association issued a report – “Effect of Physical Activity in Cognitive Function in Older Adults at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease” which stated that older individuals engaged in regular physical exercise for a 24-week period had a substantially significant improvement of 1800% on measures of memory, language, ability, attention, and other important cognitive functions when compared to an age-matched control group that did not participate in physical exercise.


Dr. David Perlmutter aptly states “Just by engaging in regular physical exercise, you open the door to the possibility of actively taking control of your mental destiny." This is an incredible discovery and provides so much power over our brain health and hope for a brain healthy future. Isn’t Science Wonderful?!


 
 
 

Kommentare


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March was an unusual month for me.  Normally I work on articles, give presentations and generally just stay tuned to what is going on in the field of aging.  This month I “learned” a lot.  Last year I learned how to write a book.  At the time I took the course I thought it would just be a natural extension of all the writing I had done over the years.  WRONG!!  The actual writing of the book was the easy part.  Putting it together into a book was difficult for me.  The course gave me step by step lessons on constructing a book.  Then editing and formatting were just as challenging.  On June 7 last year the book was published!  It was one of the most satisfying days of my writing career. 

Naturally, when you self-publish, you do not have a publisher promoting the book and getting it in the right categories for best sales on Amazon.  That was crushing because I really didn’t know to appropriately market it.  I am a brain health person!  In December of last year, I purchased a marketing program that is based on statistics.  I am technical minded and so this approach made sense to me.  The course is almost completed.  Can’t wait to see if it improves sales!

The next step I am looking at is recording an audiobook.  This is another venture I knew nothing about.  But I am already tagged on Facebook for marketing of audio book programs.  Facebook picks up everything.  Now my husband was creative director for an advertising agency and when I told him I purchased another class – he couldn’t believe it.  “This was my business.  I know how to do recordings, why didn’t you ask me?” Well, I knew he was an expert in that business, but this audiobook needs to meet all the criteria that Amazon requires for publication.  So, he can take care of the recording part of this audiobook, and I will navigate the process of meeting Amazon’s requirements.  We worked on the book together like this. 

Then I talked with some coaching experts on the viability of starting group teaching programs.  Reading The Boomer Brain book and implementing the Brain Healthy Lifestyle have two entirely different outcomes.  This lifestyle is important to maintaining high cognitive function throughout the later years of our lives.  Look for updates as to when I will roll this program out.

My last learning endeavor was attending a two-day bootcamp for Speakers.  I am really excited about what I learned there.  That is a late this year or next year project, but it is one I am really looking forward to.

 

What Is Happening in April?

The American Society on Aging is having their annual conference in Orlando Florida April 21-24.  This is the largest multidisciplinary conference on aging and the annual conference for Members of ASA.  I have attended a number of these conferences throughout the years, and it is consequential.  Keynote speakers and special events are focused on combating ageism in our society.  Although this is a professional meeting, the attendees come from all aspects of aging services.  They have their work cut out for them this year!

April is Stress Awareness Month.  We should be aware of stress every month and understand how we can break the stress cycle.  These are stressful times, and we need to protect ourselves

Here is a positive one “April is National Volunteer Month”.  When I am working with new retirees who don’t know what to do, I talk to them about volunteering. It is important to have a purpose after you leave the workforce.  There are so many nonprofits who need help in all aspects of their organizations.  It is a perfect way to give back.

Finally – It was Opening Day for the Cincinnati Reds – the oldest major league team in the nation.  Cincinnati takes that responsibility seriously.  There is always an Opening Day Parade through downtown to the Ball Park.  Huge crowds line the streets and every year there is talk of making it an official holiday.  Schools and employers look the other way when there is an empty desk.  No matter what the outcome of the game is, there is so much joy, and you can feel that energy.  I am fortunate that I get to experience that.  We all need some joy right now. 

Enjoy your April.

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