"In adult centers the nerve paths are something fixed, ended, immutable. Everything may die, nothing may be regenerated."
-- Santiago Ramon Y Cajal, "Degeneration and Regeneration in the Nervous System," 1928
This long-held tenet, first proposed by Professor Cajal, held that brain neurons were unique because they lacked the ability to regenerate.
In 1998, the journal Nature Medicine published a report indicating that neurogenesis, the growth of new brain cells, does indeed occur in humans. As Sharon Begley remarked in her book, "Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain," "The discovery overturned generations of conventional wisdom in neuroscience. The human brain is not limited to the neurons it is born with, or even the neurons that fill in after the explosion of brain development in early childhood."
What the researchers discovered was that within each of our brains there exists a population of neural stem cells which are continually replenished and can differentiate into brain neurons. Simply stated, we are all experiencing brain stem cell therapy every moment of our lives.
As one might expect, the process of neurogenesis is controlled by our DNA. A specific gene codes for the production of a protein, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which plays a key role in creating new neurons. Studies reveal decreased BDNF in Alzheimer's patients, as well as in a variety of neurological conditions including epilepsy, depression, schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Fortunately, many of the factors that influence our DNA to produce BDNF factors are under our direct control. The gene that turns on BDNF is activated by a variety of factors including physical exercise, caloric restriction, curcumin and the omega-3 fat, DHA.
This is a powerful message. These factors are all within our grasp and represent choices we can make to turn on the gene for neurogenesis. Thus, we can treat ourselves to stem cell therapy by taking control of our gene expression.
Physical Exercise
Laboratory rats that exercise have been shown to produce far more BDNF in their brains compared to sedentary animals. And there is a direct relationship between elevation of BDNF levels in these animals and their ability to learn, as one might expect.
With this understanding of the relationship of BDNF to exercise, researchers in a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association, entitled "Effect of Physical Activity in Cognitive Function in Older Adults at Risk for Alzheimer's Disease," found that elderly individuals engaged in regular physical exercise for a 24-week period had an improvement of an astounding 1,800 percent on measures of memory, language ability, attention and other important cognitive functions compared to an age-matched group not involved in the exercise program.
The mechanism by which exercise enhances brain performance is described in these and other studies as sitting squarely with increased production of BDNF. Just by engaging in regular physical exercise, you open the door to the possibility of actively taking control of your mental destiny.
Caloric Restriction
In January, 2009, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science published a study entitled "Caloric Restriction Improves Memory in Elderly Humans." In this study, German researchers imposed a 30 percent calorie reduction on the diets of elderly individuals and compared their memory function with a similar age group who basically ate whatever they wanted. At the conclusion of the three-month study, those who ate without restriction experienced a small, but clearly defined decline in memory function, while memory function in the group consuming the calorie-reduced diet actually increased, and fairly profoundly. In recognition of the obvious limitations of current pharmaceutical approaches to brain health, the authors concluded, "The present findings may help to develop new prevention and treatment strategies for maintaining cognitive health into old age." What a concept. Preventive medicine for the brain.
Curcumin
Because curcumin, the main active ingredient in the spice turmeric, increases BDNF, it has attracted the interest of neuroscientists around the world. Interestingly, in evaluating villages in India where turmeric is used in abundance in curried recipes, epidemiological studies have found that Alzheimer's disease is only about 25 percent as common as in the U.S. There is little doubt that the positive effects of enhanced BDNF production on brain neurons is at least part of the reason why those consuming curcumin are so resistant to this brain disorder.
DHA
Like curcumin, DHA enhances gene expression for the production of BDNF. In a recently completed double-blind interventional trial, 485 healthy older individuals (average age 70 years) with mild memory problems were given a supplement containing DHA from marine algae or placebo for six months. Lead researcher of the study, Dr. Karin Yurko-Mauro, commented, "In our study, healthy people with memory complaints who took algal DHA capsules for six months had almost double the reduction in errors on a test that measures learning and memory performance versus those who took a placebo ... The benefit is roughly equivalent to having the learning and memory skills of someone three years younger."
Harnessing the expression of our DNA is empowering, and the tools to better brain health are available to us all -- right now!
Sources:
Results of the MIDAS trial: Effects of docosahexaenoic acid on physiological and safety parameters in age-related cognitive decline. Karin Yurko-Mauro, Deanna McCarthy, Eileen Bailey-Hall, Edward B. Nelson, Andrew Blackwell, MIDAS Investigators
Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, July 2009 (Vol. 5, Issue 4, Supplement, Page P84).
David Perlmutter, MD, FACN, ABIHM is a Board-Certified Neurologist and Fellow of the American College of Nutrition who received his M.D. degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine where he was awarded the Leonard G. Rowntree Research Award. After completing residency training in Neurology, also at the University of Miami, Dr. Perlmutter entered private practice in Naples, Florida.
Follow David Perlmutter, M.D. on Twitter: www.twitter.com/DavidPerlmutter
Jane G. Goldberg, Ph.D.: Brain Health: Is the Virtual World Creating a Virtual Brain?
ScienceDaily: Mind & Brain News
Mind & Brain Science News, Articles, and Information from ...
Brain, Brain Information, Facts, News, Photos -- National Geographic
http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=pot-joins-the-fight-against-alzheim-2008-11-19
http://www.grianherbs.com/classes/tbi.htm
This guy/gal is ON it - I see telltale signs circumin has been promoted for neuronal regrowth here- and this person has a much wider spectrum on herbs it seems. I start OFF defensive when it comes to herbs- so much misinformation out there, BUT this resource seems to be pretty good.
It matches with the data that just came out on circumin.
Well now, I'm 6 1005 mg circumin extract pills in with 1/4 cup of lecithin and here comes the brain tingle...
Imagine the impact on education and students if we expanded our domains of intelligence that Gardiner set up ( http://www.infed.org/thinkers/gardner.htm ) ( I've always been a fan of Howard Gardiner ) to include DIETARY intelligence. It LITERALLY can determine the neurotransmitters we have to work with - such as choline is found in green leafy vegetables. Or take Turmeric. If US added turmeric to staple diet items ? My - we'd become far more productive I'd think - at least intellectually.
Oh well- off to more reading on this, I can't put down this subject- for this new data suggests we can leap further with circumin, choline, caloric restriction and exercise. #4 will come last ! lol.
http://www.itmonline.org/arts/neuro.htm
He mention Salvia too- I came up with it solely because I learned it was an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor - I get that online- but when I went to get this Huperzine at the health food store- she goes "Oh, the university students come in and get the Huperzine - referring to memory and studying".
This guy though in this article posted at the top - says Salvia ALSO protects against damage. News to me.
Bonus I suppose.
from that article I posted a link to above:
...to establish that chronic intake of curcumin promotes neurogenesis in the hippocampus of rat’s brains.
Chronic intake eh ?
Curry central perhaps.
I happen to get this circumin extract from some nutriceuticals from vitacost - not spamming - understand if the post has to be removed because it contains references to sellers etc.
I got it because I had read just ONE exposure to turmeric a YEAR can help prevent alzheimers.
well well now -looks like the rats brains is out of the bag here -
Sounds like we can advance cognitively with circumin - I was kidding on drinking alcohol to break things down only to rebuild it better- faster- The six million dollar man - jk jk
I'll probably end up doing that ANYHOO - based on my comments here - people might say- if THIS is what circumin does to you - don't count me in ! JK
This is BIG news though - neuronal regrowth - this just turned decades of presumption upside down.
I hope HP opts to put THIS article on main page- for the sake of everyones neurophysiochemical healtth - I mean, with neuronal regrowth ? Just imagine the vote turnout in 2012 !
Welp- just came back to the keyboard as this machine just locks up when typing - most frustrating - just chugged some Lecithin - has 80% higher choline absorption ? but less choline- go figure
Because I have seen Circimin show up so many times as a protector for blood vessels in the brain ? (Blueberry too I see) ? I wanted to learn more.
This was a neat coinciding conclusion by this person back in Aug -2010
http://anti-agingfirewalls.com/2010/08/24/neurogenesis-curcumin-and-longevity/
I might go hit Groups.google.com and use Advanced to set the date back before this research showed up - then I'll know I hit yet another group or person on the same path - I really like the sound of this - this could really help people with Alzheimers possibly- but more so - heck - neuronal regrwoth ? SIGN ME UP !
hmm- oh god- I just thought of a terrible cycle -
Drink alcohol- destroy brain cells- then consume circumin and exercise and do some serious re-wiring ! Could be the premise for Clockwork Orange II ? augh ! No, seriously, this looks to be good. I like the article above that just turned the 'you are borned with a fixed # of brain cells' on it's HEAD - for we NOW KNOW - from THIS research in this article here on Huffpost stated- that indeed- we have neuronal stem cells and we DO regrow -GO figure- CIRCUMIN ? Something THAT SIMPLE ? All I know is Circumin and Ginger are the same family - so I wonder if Ginger too is effective... I'll share if I find anything.
Preventing neuronal degenartion is requisite to advanced societies I'd think.
I do take Chinese Salvia - (Chinese Sage) and Huperzine - (Chinese Moss) Both are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors - that is - they inhibit acetylcholoinesterase- which breaks down acetylcholine- critical for memory. In China Salvia - is used for circulatory problems as it thins the blood- I get mine from Planetary Formulas and it DOES have a warning in it to not take it with Aspirin or Wafarin - same with Huperzine- but I just wanted to pass on those are two steps one can explore to maximize AcH - I was interested in it simply because I read years back from a Dr. Hobson who did a lot of REM research - he related in a NYT Science Times article that when we dream the brain is flooded with AcH - so I naturally wanted to see if I could max that - I also take Lecithin - a better source for Choline that Choline Bitartrate -
I do not recommend any one person do these things ? But I do recommend you educate yourself on what you CAN do to enhance memory (me - I'm in it for the dreams and maximized they are !).
I couldn't help observing in the Phsyicians Desk Reference- Folic acid in doses over 800 mcg also produce vivid dreaming - again - NOT recommending anyone do that - but I certainly will say- indeed- I've found wake state ? To be a ripoff sometimes compared to the lucid
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18362141
I ALSO find this: http://www.physorg.com/news115316813.html
Both of those paths also lead to neuronal regrowth.
I just got to thinking about the latter one there- on Sugarcane from the MIT Group - JUST IMAGINE if High Fructose Corn Syrup ? is behind Alzheimers ! - OUCH
I take Choline as well- but from lecithin - Jim Carey is a big fan of supplementing I observed for neurotransmitters - but this Circumin evidence that just came out - is TERRIFIC.
Combined with Choline ? And Sugarcane ? I agree with MIT group - this could be a good start.
Hard to ignore - it's REAL hard to ignore the break through data on D-3 for cancers - my understanding is D-3 from what I read shrinks many cells in the body- including the endothelial cells- alas tumor reduction - the internet is such I'd say research extensively - and look for common denominators from respectable academic resources regarding D-3 or really anything.
I was surprised to learn Ginger was the most potent NSAID - at the time because NSAID's block prostaglandin - there is a decent amount of research I see recurring patterns that NSAID's can be favorable to stopping tumor growth- I know University of Michigan had a break through in realizing decreasing copper could halt endothelial cell growth - complimented with NSAID's last I checked - theyh were able to stop certain tumors in their tracks- just stop -not reduce ! but hey - so much out there- it gets hard to sort it out - best of luck to all !
I'll settle with some basics - D-3, Circumin and Garlic for the nitrates and sulfur. I do MSM too -
Steve Gibson is no loose screw- that he's focussing only on d-3 - says something to me - his mind is operating in SO many ways - highly advanced projects - OFTEN SOLO - that have just 'worked' - I'd be surprised if he was in error on D-3 being critical to supplement with.
Sure
Attila Honey
Host, The Attila the Honey Comedy Hour
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calcium is a hard element and it could be like cement to the brain my obviously unscientific guess
still reading more information on this though
if you have any thoughts on this Dr. Perlmutter M.D.
I didn't consider that in this case, the N-acetyl-cystine is new to me as to what it does.
I've seen that product where I worked before -but I didn't know how it might be used, or one might benefit from it.
What age would you suggest exploring NAC Supplementing?
I'm 42 - not asking medical advice- I understand all of that but I certainly want to explore these 4 principles in neurophysiological health outlined here- caloric intake, choline (I use lecithin now), circumin (I take an extract 1005 mg)- heh - and I don't really exercise- and CLEARLY that is really important here- as I saw that 8000% improvement iirc, in those that exercised in memory for Alzheimers. I might have read that wrong, I think it was 8000.
Thanks for article -I JUST realized YOU are the author - nice to gain opportunity to ask the author - that's bonus. You're the first person I fanned that could actually have helped me along to a much better life as to neuro/health.
Again, I hope HP runs this article a bit more mainstream- but I do understand there are other news stories- but this one you have is just monumental to the future potential of any human being impoving their intellectual functionality/capacity (literally I guess considering regrowth could be substantial ? :) let's hope but NOT Charlie from Flowers For Algernon substantial heh).
OR for treating pathologies such as Azh.
I read here: Neurogenesis in adults, which generates functional neural cell types from adult neural stem cells, is dynamically regulated by both intrinsic state-specific cell differentiation cues and extrinsic neural niche signals.
From a pubmed abstract - I'm out of my league to digest that- says both- so two mechanisms ? What might be an example of intrinsic state-specific cell differentiation cues ? and this extrinsic neural niche signals ? Where does the circumin fit into this ?
Looks like this adult neuronal regrowth research is peaking or just opening up ?
I tried to make sense of the naked mole rat - as to why it lives the longest etc, seems it said anti-oxidants (I'd think this would be what circumin is doing) didn't play a role in the naked mole rate so much in the end and it was more genetic if I digested that article -MAYBE 10% heh - WAY over my head- but I like swimming.
Thanks for any insights in response - if not -thanks for article. Little uncoverings like this - I feel confident I'll be keeping circumin in my diet for life now. Seems so simple - yet ? so critical - and cough - yes, exercise ! lol- gasp - augh ! it's always I'll start tomorrow !
And my suggestion of D-3 above ? Be careful D-3 causes retention of calcium- boron really compliments it.
I have Circurmin C3 extract which I take- and I would highly recommend it.
I get everything at near cost at vitacost.com not connected with that site- just great prices.
I understand if this post has to be removed because it points to a commercial resource.
After reading the 4 factors above to increase this BDNF ?
I will CERTAINLY be making Circumic extract a weekly part of my diet- if not daily.
I understand it can be hard on the stomach.
It's actually part of the same family as Ginger - to which I've researched Ginger to be the most powerful NSAID of known herbs.
Off subject there.
I was REALLY surprised to see Circumin as one of the 4 known agonists of BDNF, odd, I had read Circumin helps PROTECT vessels in the brain - but this is TOTALLY NEW here - I'd say it's break through.
D-3 is showing to have it's break throughs in so many ways as well- Mass Gen at Harvard - same resource as this article ran an article on D-3 for prevention of large cell lung cancer - very intersting - look it up.
I'm a software engineer - so I spend time at Steves site- Gibson Research - www.grc.com - I find it peculiar one of the most gifted minds in software development you'll find - has just one
i'm trying to catch up with your thoughts and ideas : )
But just to pass on something I came across once - seems kiwi seeds are the highest source of DHA of any known plant from what I read. I always found that strange- but good to know.
Chia was next, then Flax from what I recall for DHA.
After seeing all the labels on mercury removal for Twinlab and other brands - I just got to thinking - why even bother with fish source for DHA.
P.S. I would think #6 should be DHA too
Brain is mostly fat - and from what I understand DHA is a good part of that.
We SERIOUSLY need some dietary education in this country- or worldwide really.
Darn those hitachi gas plasma chromatographs.
Kiwi seeds are the highest known source of DHA in plants- but it's HARD PRESSED to find them - get it ? hard pressed ? heh- I know a few chemists that use carbon dioxide extraction of these seeds- but they are almost always out of the oils they produce.
Chia though is a GREAT way to lose weight - and ? it's a very powerful food - the Aztecs warriors were known to eat a teaspoon and ride on that the entire day.
It expands 20 times it's size. Be CAREFUL on large amounts.
I generally seek my DHA from Algae - I just don't want to bother with mercury in fish.
I forget the brand - but "Neuromins" is the title of one product of DHA from algae - but I even saw a new one at CVS from Algae- so it's becoming more mainstream in other brands.