Surprising predictions part 4

 The Brainsplaining of Neurogenesis: How Growing New Brain Cells is misunderstood

Most of us understand that exercise and keeping our bodies fit keep our minds fit as well, but the science behind this concept isn’t widely understood. Our brains are filled with billions of neurons, and these neurons create intricate networks that allow us to think, feel, move, and interact with the world around us. As we grow older, we begin to lose some of these neurons naturally due to everyday wear and tear on our brains; when we exercise regularly and eat healthily however, we can actually grow new brain cells that keep our minds young and active! This article by [name] explains how this happens...

What are the differences between Neurons, Astrocytes, Oligodendrocytes, Microglia and Ependymal cells?

In the brain, cells come in many different shapes and sizes. Glial cells are considered to be neurons' support system. They're also among the most plentiful cell types found in the brain. They come in three main shapes: oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and microglia. Oligodendrocytes are the only glial cells which can create new myelin - an insulating material that wraps around axons to allow electrical impulses to move quickly from neuron to neuron. A mouse's myelin sheath is regenerated every six weeks or so - about a third of a millimeter per day! Astrocytes are basically housekeeping cells that respond to injury by reducing swelling and carrying dead or injured cells away for disposal. Microglia act as immune cells, patrolling the central nervous system for damaged tissue or pathogens. Ependymal cells form a layer along both sides of the spinal cord to help regulate temperature and pressure; they may also help generate cerebrospinal fluid. All these cells are vital for maintaining health, but what about their ability to grow? The short answer is yes - all these glial cells have this capability, with one exception: oligodendrocytes cannot grow indefinitely due to their inability to regenerate myelin at such high rates as other glial cells

Could we have been born with too many brain cells?

Why would we need to grow new brain cells? One reason could be that our current brain might be too crowded and confusing. Neuroscientists agree that the number of connections in the brain directly affects how well it functions and for many people, overconnectivity or hyperconnectivity may have adverse effects on health. Increasing neurogenesis could then be a way to help improve this situation by decreasing the noise, so to speak. It's not inconceivable that our brains might be born with a full complement of neurons, which are then gradually pruned by stress or lack of use to maintain some semblance of organization within them. Having more space - neurons made from fat, that is - within your already-too-crowded brain just might make sense as an answer. For example, Alzheimer’s disease can be caused by a person’s neural pathways being overwhelmed by their own thoughts. In cases like these, neurogenesis may provide relief because they help create alternative neural pathways to circumvent those that are getting overloaded. Indeed, new evidence suggests that neural progenitor cells do exist in older brains and under certain conditions (such as after injury) can produce new neurons! These findings also suggest something about life span - if we were going to live forever but never grew any new brain cells, then eventually all of our capacity for higher thought processes would probably die out due to lack of stimulation - maybe there's something better about dying when you've finally outgrown your own brain! I don't know about you, but I'll take the prospect of regenerating my brain with fresh thinking anytime! And for me, and for many others, meditation has been an important part of making sure I'm growing new brain cells. The more practice you put into meditating, the more new neurons will survive in your brain. And let's face it - most adults these days barely have time to watch TV every night let alone think deep thoughts! If meditation helps us reconnect with ourselves and feel calmer even amidst all the chaos around us then that's certainly worth a few minutes each day.

Why We Can't Make Our Own Brain Cells (or can we?)

Recent findings have shown that our brains are capable of regenerating themselves. The findings, published in the scientific journal Cell Stem Cell, revealed that adult humans have the capacity to grow new brain cells as well as wiring them up. To do this, human stem cells must be guided by a molecule called FGF2. But these stem cells can't divide and increase in number indefinitely—they lose their stemness. That's why we need to use embryonic stem cells (ESCs), which can continue dividing and be used to replace damaged or dead tissue. ESCs may even improve our thinking and memory abilities by helping repair nerve-cell damage caused by various medical conditions. It could lead to better treatments for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, epilepsy, said study co-author Dr. Dennie Lengner. This is an enormous finding. However, some researchers argue that there are ethical issues associated with using embryos for research purposes; additionally, because of difficulties in getting sufficient amounts of ESCs for testing it is hard to determine how much time will pass before results from this research will reach patients suffering from neurological disorders. To make matters worse, few pharmaceutical companies are interested in funding further studies on pluripotent stem cells like ESCs. 

So while scientists may not yet know exactly how best to implement the findings of this research into practice, they're hoping it will spur other avenues of inquiry into potential therapies for people living with debilitating diseases. And hopefully, if nothing else, the understanding of neurogenesis might at least provide hope to those who suffer from brain diseases--something every patient needs. 

Thus far, researchers have been able to develop neurons in laboratories and successfully transplant them into animals' brains. The obvious next step is to prove that such neural grafts work in humans; however, ethical issues stand in their way because implanting pluripotent stem cells would require destroying an embryo—not something that everyone agrees on. For some a better alternative could be using adult pluripotent stem cells instead since they can be derived from a person's own body and aren't as controversial as embryonic ones are. Yet another option, though one still being researched, is converting regular adult stem cells into ones that behave more like stem cells. These induced pluripotent stem cells have already been successful in repairing injury to heart muscle following heart attacks and replenishing immune system after chemotherapy treatment. Researchers also think IPSC's may eventually be used for treating other diseases including diabetes, lupus, arthritis, cystic fibrosis and multiple sclerosis. 

Ultimately we'll have to wait until all of the technological barriers are overcome so we can fully understand the benefits that these new discoveries could bring about.

Is microglia a good or bad thing?

It might be hard to believe, but microglia are on your side. These are the resident immune cells in your brain that clean up dead and dying cells, plaques, and other nasty stuff that isn't supposed to be there. The problem is when they start mistaking healthy brain tissue for trash; as a result, there's plenty of damage done and not enough time for self-repair. This leads to problems like dementia or Parkinson's disease. And the worst part? Your brain can't grow new neurons if it's constantly being picked apart by these guys ! What you need to do is protect yourself with a good diet (vegetables), take care of your gut microbiome, and exercise regularly! 

Plus, you should try herbs like bacopa monnieri which has been shown to actually stimulate neurogenesis (without any adverse effects). 

Don't forget about all the benefits of sleep either - this promotes regeneration after an injury or illness. 

And finally don't forget meditation because even just five minutes a day can make all the difference. So what are you waiting for? Get off your ass and work out! Exercise stimulates brain growth via production of proteins called neurotrophins. Studies have found that people who go to the gym three times a week will experience greater improvements in their cognition than those who only go once per week! Plus, your workout doesn't have to be long and intense – aerobic activity such as walking around your neighborhood or cleaning the house will also help build muscle mass in your hippocampus, which is key for learning and memory. 

Don't know where to start? Join our free Fitness Class at 5pm every Tuesday night at our office. We'll show you how much fun working out can be. You'll learn how to use exercises that tone muscles without bulking them up, so you can still wear cute clothes. You'll get a 45 minute cardio session and a 30 minute strength training session. You won't break too much of a sweat, but you'll feel great afterwards! Remember this is YOUR BRAIN we're talking about so make sure to set aside some time each day for thinking (meditation) or doing something creative. Learning something new increases synaptic connections in your hippocampus - which boosts memory and mood! If it feels too overwhelming trying to keep track of everything at once just start small by taking one step at a time. For example, you could start with a couple of simple things you can commit to daily and slowly expand your routine. For instance, I usually drink coffee first thing in the morning to wake me up. Nowadays I've started putting cinnamon in my coffee instead of sugar. Cinnamon is known for helping to regulate blood sugar levels, meaning that I'm less likely to crave sweets later in the day. When I'm not tempted by processed sugars I'm more likely to eat a salad for lunch or a spinach salad for dinner since my body is already craving vegetables. I have a smoothie with my breakfast and include protein powder in it to give myself that extra energy boost. I'm starting to see the connection between what I put into my body and how it affects my cognitive abilities. Even though it's only been a few weeks, I'm feeling sharper and more focused during the day. And at night, I'm sleeping better! I'm not waking up in the middle of the night as often, and I'm getting better quality sleep overall. It's hard to tell for sure, but I might be dreaming more too! I'm sleeping through the night and my skin is glowing. Plus, I've noticed that my hair is thicker and shinier. You can't make these types of changes overnight, but with a little effort you'll start to notice a big difference in your life. I love that the thought of eating healthy and working out brings me joy, rather than dread. I'm more positive and my relationships have improved. This post is all about how to grow your brain and live a healthier life. Just remember to start small and make gradual changes in your lifestyle that will eventually become habits. You'll be surprised at how much your brain will improve! You'll have more focus, memory, and creativity. And you'll have more energy and sleep better too. The best part is that this will not only make you a happier person but it will improve your health too.

Are our brains like muscle tissue?

We actually don't have the ability to grow new brain cells. It's more accurate to say that we can produce neurons, or nerve cells, which branch out from an original cell and connect with others in the brain. When we learn something new, or experience a dramatic event, we are making changes to our neural connections- so yes, like muscle tissue. We cannot create any more neurons in the human brain than we were born with, but what does happen as people age is that those neurons get fewer nutrients and start functioning less efficiently because their synapses are dying off. This makes us feel sluggish, forgetful and slower mentally - it's normal for older adults! But neuroscientists believe there are ways to counter this through techniques such as neurofeedback, which trains your brain waves into desirable patterns; cognitive training programs; physical exercise; medication and supplements such as omega 3s. Other strategies include getting enough sleep, managing stress and improving your overall diet by reducing sugar intake, exercising regularly and eating foods rich in antioxidants. The problem? Not all brain health interventions work for everyone, nor are they backed up by scientific research. So how do you know what will work best for you? Speak to your physician about trying one thing at a time to see if you notice improvements. If not, go back to square one. Find a strategy that interests you and feels sustainable for the long term. What works for one person may not work for another. You may need to experiment to find out what’s right for you. For example, while one person might respond well to meditation, another might benefit from aerobic exercise. Another consideration is whether you want to target specific symptoms (e.g., memory loss) or just general brain health - these approaches could be completely different! And no matter what strategy you decide on, be sure to give it time. Studies show that some benefits only show after six months of regular practice. Some of the most important considerations when deciding on a course of action are ones related to lifestyle. Is being healthier good enough for you? If so, follow one strategy consistently and try to build other healthy habits around it. Are you motivated by competition? Do you want to compete with friends or family members who also want to improve their brain health habits? Make it a game! Or maybe you want to push yourself and see how far down the rabbit hole of mental stimulation goes- in this case, try several strategies simultaneously and track your progress along the way.

What Causes Depression

Depression and anxiety are caused by many different factors, including traumatic experiences, hormonal changes, unhealthy lifestyles, and difficult life circumstances. If a certain factor leads to a person becoming depressed or anxious then removing the cause could help lessen the symptoms or potentially make them disappear altogether.

In order to understand how new brain cells can treat depression, it helps to first understand what causes it. One important underlying cause for depression and anxiety are negative thoughts about oneself that persist over time. It's been found that stressful events can lead an individual to withdraw into themselves even further which amplifies negative feelings about oneself. A study published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology looked at subjects who had experienced at least one major depressive episode. They found that the subjects who had a history of childhood trauma were more likely to have higher levels of inflammatory cytokines in their blood, indicating increased inflammation in their bodies. 

In addition, another study conducted on mice showed when stressed mice were given antidepressants they saw less inflammation than those who weren't given antidepressants. The difference between these two groups is significant because this suggests antidepressant medication could be affecting more than just serotonin levels and may actually be targeting other aspects like inflammation as well. Another way medications work to combat depression is by giving individuals more energy so they're able to do more activities in their day-to-day lives. Another contributor to the development of mood disorders, according to researchers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, is insufficient sleep. Sleep deprivation has been shown to disrupt hormones involved in regulating moods. Additionally, research has also found a correlation between sleep duration and how often someone engages in positive behaviors such as exercise, healthy eating habits, or spirituality. Subjects with insomnia tended to report engaging in these positive behaviors less often than those without insomnia; but with treatment for insomnia, there was an increase in positive behaviors among the participants studied.

If you want your neurons to grow stronger during neurogenesis don't forget Vitamin D! According to Dr Philip Raggatt from Imperial College London - Lack of vitamin D has been linked with depression and low self-esteem.

What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects people in many different ways. It can be difficult to focus on one task for very long, keep track of multiple directions or events at the same time, slow down when others are speeding up, and stop moving when someone asks you to stop. However, every individual's experience with ADHD is different. Some may have trouble staying focused while others might feel restless, or not take action after sensing danger. There are some who find it hard to pay attention in school because they get distracted by noises around them. Others might have a hard time concentrating if they're hungry, need to use the bathroom, or just got too much sensory input. There could also be physical reasons why a person has trouble focusing such as head injury, fever, or medical condition. One thing that's common among those with ADHD is that they're often disorganized and impulsive- something as simple as forgetting homework will often happen which makes it harder for them to succeed academically. What many don't know about ADHD is that more than 50% of individuals diagnosed with this disorder have difficulty regulating their emotions. These people often go from being sad to happy without warning and seem like they don't care about anything. Their highs and lows cause these individuals to live life in extremes but there are medications available to help manage these mood swings. People diagnosed with ADHD may also suffer from anxiety or depression due to the frustrations caused by their symptoms and how people react towards them. They may also be at risk for substance abuse problems because the emotional chaos gives them an excuse to drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes. The importance of awareness becomes clear when you look at the fact that it takes an average of 11 years for a child to receive treatment for ADHD even though studies show early intervention leads to better outcomes. 

Some students feel like they are overlooked and forgetful in class so they try things such as multitasking, using technology, taking pills, drinking coffee, etc. But these only work temporarily before things start getting worse again because changing your brain chemistry doesn't change the underlying issue - instead it just masks your true issues by giving you temporary relief. It's important to seek out support, whether it be through therapy, medication, mindfulness exercises, educational tools, or all of the above. Everyone needs support sometimes no matter what kind of diagnosis they have. Supportive friends are great for helping us remember our goals and successes as well as listening without judgment. Supportive families offer encouragement and understanding during our moments of weakness. And supportive professionals remind us we aren't alone in this world no matter what we've been through.

Who Gets Alzheimer's Disease?

Many people believe that Alzheimer's Disease will affect all generations, but this isn't the case. Contrary to popular belief, only about 10% of all individuals who get Alzheimer's Disease are 65 years or older. The rest have other conditions such as type 2 diabetes and obesity that raise their risk for developing the disease at a much earlier age. Some people who do develop Alzheimer's Disease are not old enough to be diagnosed due to its slow development process; it may take 20 years for the symptoms to surface. It starts with minor symptoms, such as a slight change in short-term memory or trouble coming up with words, which gradually worsen over time until they're so severe that patients can no longer live on their own. Doctors don't know what causes Alzheimer's Disease, but they know what doesn't cause it: dieting! Studies show that fasting or chronic restriction can actually speed up the development of brain cell loss in elderly mice. When brain cells lose their supply of nutrients, like sugar from fructose intake, they begin to atrophy and die off. Researchers from UC Berkeley found that depriving neurons from sugar (which includes glucose) could lead to premature aging, dementia, and death. Scientists call this phenomenon Glucose Deprivation Syndromes. In mice experiments where they were starved for two weeks, some even died before the experiment ended. However, when glucose was restored to the mice following starvation, many regained mental acuity after just one day. With this information, we now know that fasting or restricting sugars won't help protect you against Alzheimer's Disease. What will? Exercise! Animal studies show that if a mouse is given an enriched environment by providing it with toys and stimulating environments while reducing access to food pellets, they display robust increases in the production of new brain cells and connections between them - known as synapses - throughout their lifetime.

Where Does Dementia Come From?

By 2050, the number of adults over age 65 will triple, meaning more than 20 million Americans will have Alzheimer's disease. Almost half of all dementia cases are due to Alzheimer's or another type of dementia. Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis found evidence that a peptide derived from developing brain cells could be developed into a drug that could prevent the buildup or deposition of amyloid plaques, which are key contributors to the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease. They found that this anti-amyloid treatment completely eliminated behavioral problems associated with memory deficits related to Alzheimer's in elderly mice. Not only did it remove the symptoms of Alzheimer's, but it also restored neural connectivity between various regions of the brain by activating nerve growth factor receptors on neurons in areas such as the hippocampus and cortex. The new findings suggest that doctors may one day be able to treat dementia at its earliest stages by injecting drugs before symptoms appear. That way, they would not need to wait until full-blown Alzheimer's develops before starting treatment. Dementia affects nearly 5% of people ages 65 and older, according to the National Institute on Aging. And researchers say the risk increases dramatically after age 80, affecting about 47% of people who live past 85 years old. In other words, more than one in five seniors die with some form of dementia. One in eight (13%) of those 65 and older experience some form of cognitive impairment. 

As an aging population continues to grow, we'll see a higher prevalence rate for these conditions. Given the fact that scientists have been aware of these connections for decades yet haven't discovered an effective cure, research is still needed for therapies that can delay onset or stop progression altogether. Even if successful treatments were available today, many health care providers are not trained adequately enough to diagnose patients with dementia early enough to make a difference - so there's hope yet! At any given time, 10% of our adult brains are made up of neuroblasts - newly born brain cells. From conception through childhood and adolescence, neuroblasts divide profusely to accommodate our growing brains. 

As you get older, however, your neuroblast activity decreases significantly. But neurogenesis isn't just important during fetal development; rather, it appears necessary throughout life to sustain mental faculties in the healthy human adult. Several recent studies have shown that increasing neuroblast production can slow down or even reverse cognitive decline associated with aging in animal models. So scientists believe that stimulating new cell production should work just as well in humans too!

When Do We Lose Memory?

It's a question I'm sure most people ask themselves, but nobody has a definitive answer. First, we need to think about what memory is and how it works. Memory loss, in this context, means having difficulty forming new memories or accessing past memories. There are two main types of memory: episodic and semantic. Episodic memory refers to personal events from our lives that we can recall without prompts; it includes autobiographical information like the day you graduated from high school or the moment you got married. Semantic memory allows us to remember facts like the capital city of Brazil. When these kinds of memories start to fade is still up for debate. Some studies suggest an average person will experience some form of cognitive decline at age 45, while others say the drop-off happens later on, around 55 years old. In terms of memory loss due to aging and dementia, the research is murky at best. Studies show there may be a decrease in brain volume and thickness as people age, but there's no evidence linking this with dementia specifically until more research can be done on the subject. That said, the earliest signs of dementia do tend to include trouble recalling recent events and organizing thoughts into logical sequences. So when do we lose memory? The truth is that nobody knows exactly, but here's one thing they do know - we don't lose it all at once. Memories are gradually forgotten over time. For example, research shows that by the time a person reaches 80 years old, he or she will have lost 40% of their episodic memories. Those who live past 90 may forget half of their long-term memories. There are ways to help combat Alzheimer's disease through preventive measures like eating well and exercising regularly, which can keep your mind healthy and strong even as your body gets older. One study found that subjects who exercised three times per week were able to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s by six months compared to those who did not exercise regula.

Will We Ever Cure Cancer?

Cancer treatments come in a variety of forms, and when we think about cancer treatments, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery are likely the first three that come to mind. But research has discovered a fourth form of treatment called immunotherapy- which is where the body's immune system fights the cancer cells. Immunotherapy uses substances from outside the body or substances made by the immune system to trigger an immune response that attacks and kills cancer cells. One promising area for new research in this field concerns cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs are tumor cells that give rise to other tumor cells and those CSCs have some distinctive properties such as being less reliant on oxygen or growing quickly even if they aren't dividing very often. There are two ways in which immunotherapy can be used against CSCs. The first way involves preventing these cells from coming back after their natural death process. The second way is to force them into becoming normal cells again. Tumor cells have mutations in genes that prevent them from doing this normally, but it might be possible to alter the gene with medicine so it works like it should. 

Therefore, with more research, immunotherapy could potentially become another powerful weapon in our arsenal against cancer - because it may allow us to do away with tumors without killing the patient altogether. However, there are several barriers that will need to be overcome before this happens. We need to figure out how best to attack the tumor, who needs immunotherapy and who doesn't, how long it will take for patients' immune systems to respond well enough for the therapy to work its magic; plus side effects caused by a patient's own immune system attacking healthy tissue must also be taken into account. These challenges all lie ahead of us; yet I am optimistic that someday soon immunotherapy will finally bring humanity closer than ever before towards conquering cancer once and for all. 

Therefore, with more research, immunotherapy could potentially become another powerful weapon in our arsenal against cancer - because it may allow us to do away with tumors without killing the patient altogether. However, there are several barriers that will need to be overcome before this happens. We need to figure out how best to attack the tumor, who needs immunotherapy and who doesn't, how long it will take for patients' immune systems to respond well enough for the therapy to work its magic; plus side effects caused by a patient's own immune system attacking healthy tissue must also be taken into account.