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Scared you’ll get Alzheimer’s? Lowering your risk is easier than you thought!

Autumn Russell,

Have you ever been in the middle of performing a task and all of a sudden stopped because you forgot what you were going to do?

Frustrating right? Now, imagine having that feeling all day long for the rest of your life, except this time you don’t realize you’re doing it, but everyone else does. This is what it’s like living with Alzheimer’s.

Scared that could be you in the future? Recent studies have found that it doesn’t have to be! Lowering your risk of Alzheimer’s is simpler than you thought, and you don’t have to take any pills!

A recent study has found that a compound called EGCG found in the green tea leaf, is an active ingredient in stopping the risk of Alzheimer’s disease when targeted to the brain. Yes, you heard that right! Drinking Green Tea, can help lower your risk of getting Alzheimer’s as you age. For reasons still unknown, in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the protein in your brain divides improperly, creating a form called beta amyloid which is toxic to neurons in the brain. What EGCG can do is disrupt the formation of these toxic plaques that contribute to the disease when it reaches the brain. It interferes with the function of beta-amyloid oligomers, small aggregates of amyloid beta protein. Over time these oligomers can populate, and unlike a healthy brain that breaks down and eliminates amyloids, they become sticky and disrupt the communication between nerve cells in the brain. Researchers in this study described EGCG as a “remodeler” for beta-amyloid oligomers, stopping them from becoming toxic amyloid plaques.

With more than five million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease today it is important that we are informed on the ways of prevention. That means by 2050, that number could rise as high as sixteen million.

A question often asked when discussing Alzheimer’s and ways of lowering your risk of getting the Alzheimer’s is, “When should I start”? No specific age has been documented as the “start date” of Alzheimer’s disease prevention, but mid-twenties and as you embark your early thirties to forties, diet change and exercise should be ideal, as your body and metabolism are changing. In a New RX article, they related healthy dieting to higher levels of memory and brain function later in life, specifying that people can effectively lower their risk by following standard health advice, like staying active and keeping cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure under control.

I know, I know, you’ve heard it all before, but it actually works. A study was done to find whether this advice was valid. Study participants who had high levels of cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure were found to be six times more likely to get dementia than somebody without those uncontrolled levels of cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure levels, according to researcher Dr. Miia Kivipelto of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.

Jae Hee Kang, an instructor at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, did a study on women in their 60’s who habitually ate more cruciferous and green leafy vegetables than other women. The results showed less overall decline on a bundle of tests measuring memory, verbal ability and attention when they were in their 70’s. These were foods like broccoli, cauliflower, romaine lettuce and spinach. Foods easily found at your local grocery store. Kang said that the effects of the vegetables on their cognition most likely stemmed from the antioxidants and B vitamins within them.

Georgia Ede, wrote an article late last year that touches on the “brain sugar processing problem” that is caused by insulin resistance, referred to as, glucose hypo metabolism, an early marker of Alzheimer’s disease risk. This means that the brain cells do not have enough insulin to burn glucose at full capacity, therefore they struggle. The more insulin resistant you become, the more sluggish your brain glucose metabolism becomes. But, what does it mean to be insulin resistant? Ede said that,

“In the body, one of insulin’s responsibilities is to unlock muscle and fat cells so they can absorb glucose from the bloodstream. When you eat something sweet or starchy that causes your blood sugar to spike, the pancreas releases insulin to usher the excess glucose out of the bloodstream and into cells. If blood sugar and insulin spike too high too often, cells will try to protect themselves from overexposure to insulin’s powerful effects by toning down their response to insulin—they become “insulin resistant.” In an effort to overcome this resistance, the pancreas releases even more insulin into the blood to try to keep glucose moving into cells. The more insulin levels rise, the more insulin resistant cells become. Over time, this vicious cycle can lead to persistently elevated blood glucose levels, or type 2 diabetes.”

The short answer is yes. There are many ways to improve brain function. One is with exercise. Just 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five times a week can keep your brain sharp, because physical exercise not only helps your heart but can increase the size of your hippocampus, the part of the brain crucial to making memories. Physical exercise generates a chemical called BDNF, brain derived neurotrophic factor, which acts like fertilizer for the brain. It encourages the growth of neural connections and brain cells. Also think about staying socially active as well, especially as you get older. There is developing research that suggests that those who avoid getting lonely and remain interactive can decrease their risk of cognitive decline. Do brain activities, like solving a puzzle, learning a new language, engaging in debates, or trying something new, like rock climbing, salsa dancing or mowing the lawn.

The thing to understand is that AD is not inevitable as you get older, it’s something that can be conquered before the time comes. It is all about making those necessary lifestyle adjustments and hoping for the best. Manage blood sugar levels properly, exercise, drink green tea, engage in mental activity, consider food intake and try to actively learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and ways of prevention. Remember to challenge your mind! This is a great way to build new neural connections and strengthen your cortex. Maintaining socially and mentally active is also key. This keeps your brain active and alert. With over five million people with this disease today, being added onto the list, should be a main concern of someone reaching midlife. But, you can effectively lower your risk!

Remaining Socially Active

healthy green tea cup with tea leaves

What you need to know about Alzheimer’s Disease

The same way you try to maintain good heart health, you should do for your brain. More than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease today. That means by 2050…

The Neuroscience behind Alzheimer’s Disease

Stanley B. Prusiner once said, “Neuroscience is by far the most exciting branch of science, because the brain is the most fascinating object in the universe”. If you think about it, it is! You can never stop discovering more about the brain and its complexity. The brain is a wheelhouse for learning new things and improving overall cognitive function. Whether its learning a new language, memorizing new terms, engaging in social interaction or solving a puzzle! It all gears towards a positive outcome. In this Literature review, I delve deeper into the concept of neuroscience, the study of the brain and its impact on behavior and cognitive functions, and discuss its effects on Alzheimer’s and how you can lower your risk.

We all have brains, so learning a little bit more on ways to keep our brains healthy from certain diseases, like dementia, as we age are good ways to ensure healthier living. The brain is as pivotal a part of our existence as the heart. The same way you try to maintain good heart health, you should do for your brain. More than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease today (Alzheimer’s Association 326). That means by 2050, that number could rise as high as sixteen million. But why are the numbers rising? It could be a few things, genes… poor health, but more simply the fact that people are uninformed. The more we study what is normal brain function, the easier it becomes for us to detect what is abnormal within our brains.

Current research indicates that Alzheimer’s is a neurological disease that alters chromosome 21 and causes the recipient to suffer from extreme memory loss and confusion, and ultimately death. Scientists remain unclear on what is the definite cause of the disease, but recent studies suggest that there is a correlation between genes, poor diet and Alzheimer’s. Terms frequently mentioned in these studies are, striatum, a region deep in our brain, antibodies, a blood protein produced in response to and counteracting a specific antigen, mRNA, messenger RNA, and gene locus, the position on a chromosome. The term Neurofibrillary Tangles, or NFT, is also used, which are groups of hyper phosphorylated tau protein that are most commonly known as a primary marker of Alzheimer’s disease. These are insoluble twisted fibers found inside the brain’s cells. These tangles consist primarily of a protein called tau, which forms part of a structure called a microtubule. The microtubule helps transport nutrients and other important substances from one part of the nerve cell to another. In Alzheimer’s disease, however, the tau protein is abnormal and the microtubule structures collapse. Amyloid Plaques is another term used in Alzheimer’s diagnostics. Amyloids are groups of proteins that become folded into a shape that allows many copies of that protein to stick together, forming fibrils (small/slender fibers). Amyloid plaques are sticky buildup which accumulates outside nerve cells, or neurons. For reasons still unknown, in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the protein divides improperly, creating a form called beta amyloid which is toxic to neurons in the brain. Therefore, neuropathological diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease relies on the presence of both neurofibrillary tangles and senile/amyloid plaques. There are two main types of Alzheimer’s disease; Early-onset and Late-onset Alzheimer’s. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that gradually worsens over time. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer’s, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment. Most people with Alzheimer’s are sixty-five and older, but approximately 200,000 Americans under the age of 65 have younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease. (Alzheimer’s Association 330).

David G. Munoz, and Howard Feldman, published a journal in CMAJ a peer-reviewed general medical journal, on the “Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease”, discussing the genetics behind it. They explain that although cerebral atrophy is a typical manifestation of AD, it does not distinguish normal aging from AD accurately enough to be diagnostic. They described the AD brain as a cerebral cortex “peppered with neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques” (Munoz, Feldman 66). The development of tangles is a major and possibly the main mechanism of neuronal death in AD. In relation to this, The Alzheimer’s Association posted an article to ELSEVIER, about “Alzheimer’s and Dementia”, more so detailing the cost of care, the caregivers and what accompanies the disease. The report said that the pace at which symptoms advance from mild to moderate to severe varies from person to person. Yes, in the more advanced stages, people begin to need help with basic activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, eating and using the bathroom, but also become bed-bound and reliant on around-the-clock care (Alzheimer’s Association 328). This is what causes further complications like pneumonia on top of the disease, because they are not moving frequently and become vulnerable to infections, malnutrition and dehydration. This report says that research done suggests that brain changes in people with Alzheimer’s may begin 20 or more years before symptoms even appear (Alzheimer’s Association 329). So, you would not know for sure until the damage really starts to thicken. “When the initial changes occur, the brain compensates for them, enabling individuals to continue to function normally. As neuronal damage increases, the brain can no longer compensate for the changes and individuals show subtle cognitive decline” (Alzheimer’s Association 229). Therefore, methods of prevention for lowering your risk of Alzheimer’s as you age should begin early on.

A question often asked when discussing Alzheimer’s and ways of lowering your risk of getting the Alzheimer’s is, “When should I start”? NewsRX, posted an article to the publication Obesity, Fitness, and Wellness Week, about what different studies are saying regarding our brain in relation to our diet. The journal related healthy dieting to higher levels of memory and brain function later in life, allowing you to enhance your memory as you age. No specific age has been documented as the “start date” of Alzheimer’s disease prevention, but mid-twenties and as you embark your early thirties to forties, diet change and exercise should be ideal, as your body and metabolism are changing. The NewsRX article specifies that people can effectively lower their risk by following standard health advice, like staying active and keeping cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure under control. A study was done around these areas to find whether this advice was valid. Study participants who had high levels of cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure were found to be six times more likely to get dementia than somebody without those uncontrolled levels of cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure levels, according to researcher Dr. Miia Kivipelto of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm (NewsRX 830). Jae Hee Kang, an instructor at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, did a study on women in their 60’s who habitually ate more cruciferous and green leafy vegetables than other women. The results showed less overall decline on a bundle of tests measuring memory, verbal ability and attention when they were in their 70’s. These were foods like broccoli, cauliflower, romaine lettuce and spinach. Foods easily found at your local grocery store. Kang said that the effects of the vegetables on their cognition most likely stemmed from the antioxidants and B vitamins within them.

Georgia Ede, wrote an article late last year titled, “Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease Is Easier Than You Think”, about how insulin resistance ties into AD and three steps you can take in lowering your risk today. The article touches on the “brain sugar processing problem” that is caused by insulin resistance, referred to as, glucose hypo metabolism, an early marker of Alzheimer’s disease risk. This means that the brain cells do not have enough insulin to burn glucose at full capacity, therefore they struggle. The more insulin resistant you become, the more sluggish your brain glucose metabolism becomes. But, what does it mean to be insulin resistant? Ede said that,

Eating too many of the wrong carbohydrates too often causes blood sugar and insulin levels to rise, placing us at a higher risk for insulin resistance. “Our bodies have evolved to handle whole food sources of carbohydrates like apples and sweet potatoes, but they simply aren’t equipped to cope with modern refined carbohydrates like flour and sugar” (Ede). This ties back into the earlier statement about lowering your risk of AD by maintaining good blood pressure and sugar levels. The use of PET scans in brain imaging studies allow scientists to find clues of early to late onset AD. The use of this technology to study people of different ages has allowed researchers to find that Alzheimer’s Disease is preceded by “decades of gradually worsening glucose hypo metabolism” (Sleep Disorders Group). In Bhumsoo and Feldman’s “Insulin Resistance…” article, they discuss insulin signaling and how the disruption of insulin signaling makes neurons more vulnerable to metabolic stress, which then accelerates neuronal dysfunction. That defective insulin signaling is associated with decreased cognitive ability and the development of dementia, including AD (Bhumsoo, Feldman 4). So, the conversation then shifts to, “OK. I know I should monitor my diet and intake but are there other ways that I can strengthen and preserve my brain as I age?”

The short answer is yes. There are many ways to improve brain function. One is Exercise. Just 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five times a week can keep your brain sharp, because physical exercise not only helps your heart but can increase the size of your hippocampus, the part of the brain crucial to making memories (Trinity College Dublin). Physical exercise generates a chemical called BDNF, brain derived neurotrophic factor, which acts like fertilizer for the brain. It encourages the growth of neural connections and brain cells. Also think about staying socially active as well, especially as you get older. There is developing research that suggests that those who avoid getting lonely and remain interactive can decrease their risk of cognitive decline. Do brain activities, like solving a puzzle, learning a new language, engaging in debates, or trying something new, like rock climbing, salsa dancing or mowing the lawn. Although Alzheimer’s is a large concern in the lives of many men and women over fifty, there is still this “disconnection” between people and Alzheimer’s and how to get over that hurdle, before it catches up to you. So much of it is because people are uniformed on what AD actually is and what causes it. The thing to understand is that AD is not inevitable as you get older, it’s something that can be conquered before the time comes. An interesting point was made by Dr. John Bergman in his video, he said that “Alzheimer’s is a man-made disease”. This disease was not as prevalent in the years past. Changing food intake and chemicals that have emerged over the past thirty years are to show forth. The same way this disease was created, it can be avoided. It is all about making those necessary lifestyle adjustments and hoping for the best. Manage blood sugar levels properly, exercise, engage in mental activity, consider food intake and try to actively learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and ways of prevention.

In conclusion, it is very important to work on bettering your health and brain function as you age. Alzheimer’s is a real disease that is sweeping across the nation. No, it is not inevitable but chances are high when the proper precautions are not put into place. Talking with friends and family to see if Alzheimer’s has affected someone they knew is also helpful in furthering your knowledge on the topic. Remember to challenge your mind! This is a great way to build new neural connections and strengthen your cortex. Maintaining socially and mentally active is also key. (Alzheimer’s Association 332). This keeps your brain active and alert. With over five million people with this disease today, being added onto the list, should be a main concern of someone reaching midlife. But, you can effectively lower your risk!

Work Cited

“What is Alzheimer’s?” M.ALZ.org, Alzheimer’s Association, p. 2, <alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp.>

Munoz, David G., and Feldman, Howard. “Causes of Alzheimer’s disease”, vol. 162, no. 1, CMAJ, 11 Jan. 2000, pp. 65-72, < http://www.cmaj.ca/content/162/1/65.full.pdf+html.>

Association, Alzheimer’s. “2017 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures”, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 325-373, April 2017, ELSEVIER, <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2017.02.001.>

NewsRX. “Studies say diet can affect brain health.” Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week, 14 Aug. 2004, p. 830. Academic OneFile, <go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&sw=w&u=lom_udetmercy&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA120273074&it=r&asid=2a57f5a54454d16e319af5cd3b80b2e6.> Accessed 12 Oct. 2017.

Lacosta, Ana-María, Insua, Daniel, Badi, Hassnae, Pesini, Pedro, and Sarasa, Manuel. “Neurofibrillary Tangles of Aβx-40 in Alzheimer’s Disease Brains” Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 661-667, 2017, doi: 10.3233/JAD-170163

Daulatzai, M. A., “Cerebral hypoperfusion and glucose hypometabolism: Key pathophysiological modulators promote neurodegeneration, cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer’s disease” Journal of Neuroscience Research, vol. 95, no. 4, pp. 943–972, Apr 2017, Wiley, doi:10.1002/jnr.23777

Kim, Bhumsoo, and Eva L Feldman. “Insulin Resistance as a Key Link for the Increased Risk of Cognitive Impairment in the Metabolic Syndrome.” Experimental & Molecular Medicine 47.3 (2015): e149–, pp. 1-10, PMC. Web. 12 Oct. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4351418/

Ede, Georgia. “Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease Is Easier Than You Think”, Psychology Today, 07 Sept. 2016, <https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/diagnosis-diet/201609/preventing-alzheimer-s-disease-is-easier-you-think.>

Trinity College Dublin. “What Can You Do to Keep Your Brain Healthy?”, YouTube, 18 Feb.2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV2TspM8PDg.

Dr. John Bergman. “How to Keep Your Brain Healthy”, YouTube, 03 Mar. 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNDYRp4YBWI.

How is it possible that this is scanning my mind?

How does brain sensing technology work?

Am i endangering myself by partaking? Is it zapping electricity into my head?

As you know, if you’ve been keeping up with my previous blog posts, I’ve been delving deeper into the topic of neuroscience and what advances have been made towards them. This week, I’ll be giving updates on how your brain is being tied into technology. And no I do not mean with smartphones and tablets. I’m talking about connecting your brain to a computer interface. Check out my previous article to find out what’s in “the works” right now. It’ll blow your mind! But, here, we’ll be discussing how all this brain-to-interface technology works. What’s the science behind it?

It’s no secret that there has been new technology going around that connects tons of sensors to your head and back into the computer. As seen below:

Man with Electrode Wires on Head — Image by © Adrianna Williams/Corbis

This scientific advancement has helped many paralyzed patients become better communicators, through neural stimulation. This journal written back in 2002 further explains this. It discussed how interest in creating a BMI, a Brain-Machine-Interface, was gaining popularity at the time. Look at us now. It’s 2017 and that device is here. Today, BMI’s are being implemented in so many different ways, like through brain implants, head band technology, electrode wires etc., and by so many different companies that I took it upon myself to seek out how all this new technology works. I wanted to know how it was possible for a computer interface to read brain signals from only a wire connected outside your head. Iot for All, a technology media site, was there for my answer.

Iot for all wrote an article this past week about how brain sensing technology works. They began with how the brain even receives action signals and worked up from there. A lot of scientific jargon was used during the explanation and was a little drag to keep up with, so here’s my breakdown. Hopefully it helps, and I don’t lose you here:

This entire process is called signal transduction: This is a signal that tells a cell to do something. Think of transduction as the BOSS. The cells are its workers.
When a ligand, a small molecule that acts as a signal, binds to a receptor, whats receiving the signal, a series of pathways occur within the cell that help activate a target protein or molecule. So, the ligand is the Boss’s messenger in this equation. Once the messenger delivers it’s message it opens up a series of pathways.
Signals are then continuously passed along, turning on other target molecules and proteins until the designated signal is produced. Once it is, that signal shoots up the spine to your brain, and straight to the neurons. The neurons in this equation lives in the “headquarters”, these are the CEO’s.
[Sidenote] Your brain is home to approximately 100 billion neurons, nerve cells that allow you to react to signals, which is why actions occur so quickly without second thought. How can you miss? Unless you get distracted from a task. “Is that pizza I smell?”
[Continuing] The signal (messenger) that is being sent to a neuron (CEO) is in the form of an electrical impulse known as an ‘action potential’ (he might make it).
The action potential causes the nerve cell to release neurotransmitters (signaling molecules) which then bind to the receptor on the next neuron (another CEO).
Once these two CEO’S meet (two neurons) the space between them is called the synapse. If the electrical charge on these neurotransmitters being released into the synapse is above the threshold (the amount needed for a certain result to occur), then an action potential (top messenger that get’s the job done) will be fired. BUT, if it falls under the threshold (tensions aren’t rising between these CEO’s), then nothing will happen and that will be the end of the signal transduction.
An example would be: If you were trying to catch an incoming ball while playing catch but a cute man or woman walked by, you looked, and the ball came back and smacked you in the face because you were distracted. That would be an instance of falling under the threshold and signal transduction. “On to the next one”.
[Continuing] When a group of neurons experience this change in electrical impulse, they generate an electrical field which resembles a small vibration which can then be detected on the scalp by an EEG sensors.

BOOM! There you have it folks! That is how brain sensors pick up your brain activity, measure your state of being and figure out what feeling you’re trying to ignite.

Perhaps these devices are able to send a signal back. As shown in the above picture.

Go check out the Muse Brain Sensing Headband, now that you have some background info on how this stuff may work and how it’s picking up brain signals. Go on their page and read about this new piece of technology.

Additional Sources:

Will your brain need “scheduled updates” in the future?

Elon Musk wants to link your brain to your computer

Preparing humans for the rise of artificial intelligence

Convergence-Brain-BCI — Photo cred: futuristgerd.com

What does the future behold for brain vs. AI technology?

The time has come. It is 2017 and we are trying to connect computer technology innately into our brains, to keep up with robot intelligence. Elon Musk, Tesla and SpaceX CEO, has developed a new company called Neuralink, a brain-computer interface company, that is working on “neural lace” implants, to turn “cloud-based AI into an extension of the human brain”. Yes, you heard it right. The future may hold hyper-intelligent people. Or simply, people with computer technology in their heads. Talk about Netflix, Black Mirror, season 1, episode 3. The time for advanced innovation is now. Wired.com posted an article about Musk’s new and developing company. Musk explains in an interview with Wait But Why, that this new technology will not only allow you to access and understand new information, but also help patients with severe brain injuries caused by stroke, cancer lesion, epilepsy and others, repair cognitive function, in the next four years. He says that with the help of brain implants directly linked to computers, humans may be able to improve their brain function, or even one day download their thoughts, or upload the thinking of others onto a computer. Yes, it sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, doesn’t it? But, it is in the process of development. This micron-sized device is expected to keep humans on the same playing field as advancing artificial intelligence.

Currently, there are implants out there that link to the neurons in our brain, strictly used for those with disabilities. So, this isn’t too far off the radar. There are people with pacemakers in their chest, those with wired neuron technology to link prosthetic limbs to touch senses, and so forth. Musk predicts that neural lace could take about eight to 10 years to become usable by people without disabilities and would still then have to be approved for safe implantation. It also depends on how well the devices worked on those people with disabilities. The wired article delves deeper into this idea of “transhumanism”, the enhancement of humanity’s capabilities through science and technology. They discuss the living reality of many people, today, who already have technology within them. A very interesting example that was given, was of documentary-maker, Rob Spence, who replaced one of his own eyes with a video camera in 2008. Talk about crazy! Can you imagine what that looks like, let alone, feels like?

Rob Spence Photo — Rob Spence; Photo cred – buzznigeria.com

According to wired.com, Elon Musk said, earlier this year, at a conference in Dubai, that the science behind neural lace is “mostly about the bandwidth, the speed of the connection between your brain and the digital version of yourself, particularly output.” He says that we already have a digital and physical version of ourselves. One that we see physically and the online version of ourselves that we display through email and social media. But the real question that no one seems to be asking is, “How much will this thing cost?”

CNBC said it best in their article, How Elon Musk’s Neuralink could end up hurting average Americans, the “one question Musk hasn’t answered (and in fairness, it may not be his responsibility to answer) is who will have the privilege of getting a neural lace?” Prices have not yet been released, but it can go without saying that Elon Musk’s neural lace transplant probably won’t be covered by your typical insurance plan. In other words, it looks as if this will be a rich persons advantage.

It reminds me of the movie “Repo Man”. If neural lace is to be offered to the middle and lower class, can/will it be in the form of monthly or yearly payments? And what if you don’t make that payment? What is the penalty? Will they take away your implant forcefully like they do when repossessing your TV’s, couches, or cars? If you don’t pay up will you have to fear for your life? The way people are attached to HANDHELD technology now, you can only imagine how attached they will be to something that enhances cognitive function, and allows you to download memory. They’ll feel “less” of a person if they don’t have it. Imagine saying in ten years time, “Hey man, did you get the new neural lace update?” and your friend responds, “Aww, no. Maybe that’s why my eyes been twitching all day”.

Scientific Terms that may be Unknown

If you’re a science major, go ahead and TEST YOURSELF, if you’re not, still, read on. I’ve compiled a …

A Whaaatttt??

If you’re a science major, go ahead and TEST YOURSELF, if you’re not, still, read on. I’ve compiled a list of TEN frequent terms that I’ve recently come across in several scientific journals, that may be unfamiliar or incomprehensible to those who are not in the scientific field. They were all over the research articles that I’ve read this past week, with the expectation that the reader would already know what they were. News flash, we’re lost! So, I’ve placed them here, so that when they are used, we’ll know exactly what is meant by them. The more you know, right?

Cognition: the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.
[Beta] Protein Gene: Also, and more properly called, the APP gene, is a gene that provides instructions for making a protein called amyloid precursor protein. This protein is found in many tissues and organs, including the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). Studies suggest that in the brain, it helps direct the movement (migration) of nerve cells (neurons) during early development. Amyloid precursor protein is cut by enzymes to create smaller fragments (peptides), some of which are released outside the cell. Two of these fragments are called soluble amyloid precursor protein (sAPP) and amyloid beta (β) peptide. Which is why the term “beta protein gene” is also used. Amyloid β peptide is likely involved in the ability of neurons to change and adapt over time (plasticity).
Antibodies: a blood protein produced in response to and counteracting a specific antigen (a toxin or other foreign substance, like bacteria and viruses). Antibodies then combine chemically with those substances to fight them off in your immune system.
Amyliods: are groups of proteins that become folded into a shape that allows many copies of that protein to stick together forming fibrils (a small/slender fibers). Amyloid plaques are sticky buildup which accumulates outside nerve cells, or neurons. For reasons still unknown, in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the protein divides improperly, creating a form called beta amyloid which is toxic to neurons in the brain.
mRNA (messenger RNA): is a subtype of RNA. An mRNA molecule carries a portion of the DNA code to other parts of the cell for processing. mRNA is created during transcription.
Autosomal Dominant Gene: is one of several ways that a trait or disorder can be passed down (inherited) through families. In an autosomal dominant disease, if you inherit the abnormal gene from only one parent, you can get the disease. Often, one of the parents may also have the disease. An autosomal recessive disorder means two copies of an abnormal gene must be present in order for the disease or trait to develop.
Gene Locus: A locus (plural loci) in genetics is the POSITION on a chromosome. Each chromosome carries many genes. There’s 23 chromosomes.
Synthesized: make (something) by synthesis, especially chemically. Combining (constituent elements) into a single or unified entity.
Centromere: the region of a chromosome to which the microtubules of the spindle attach, via the kinetochore, during cell division.
Neurofibrillary Tangles (NFT): are groups of hyperphosphorylated tau protein that are most commonly known as a primary marker of Alzheimer’s disease. They are insoluble twisted fibers found inside the brain’s cells. These tangles consist primarily of a protein called tau, which forms part of a structure called a microtubule. The microtubule helps transport nutrients and other important substances from one part of the nerve cell to another. In Alzheimer’s disease, however, the tau protein is abnormal and the microtubule structures collapse. The neuropathological diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease relies on the presence of both neurofibrillary tangles and senile/amyloid plaques.

[This list may increase over time]

How your diet affects your brain health!

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Am I eating at my best?

It’s no secret that diet is a very important aspect in our daily lives. But, are what we’re consuming benefiting us? Of course we won’t always be eating healthy, but having a diet that is well balanced is a bright idea. Obesity, Fitness, and Wellness Week, posted a journal about what different studies are saying regarding our brain in relation to our diet. The journal related healthy dieting to higher levels of memory and brain function later on in life, allowing you to enhance your memory as you age. As Alzheimer’s become a major factor in the life of many elderly people today, researchers/scientists are working on finding preventative techniques to help people stray away from Alzheimer’s disease as they get older. When you’re young, memory loss and the thought of Alzheimer’s disease are not a main topic on your mind. We know that. But, this is actually the time when you should be more focused on your diet and eating better. Prevention starts early. The more you work on yourself when you’re young, the better the benefits are as you get older. Feed your brain more than oil and saturated fat! Not saying, “No fries!” “Put down that fried chicken!”, but maybe reward yourself with one fatty meal a week? Or every two weeks? You’ll notice your body will feel much better and operate better than it has in weeks prior.

So the next question is, “Ok. I know I should start early, but what age is ‘early'”? Look, there is no “set age” for when you should begin to take investment in yourself. I realize as a teen, unhealthy eating is a “right of passage” but as someone in or transitioning into your twenties, your body is changing and SETTING. Your time for growth is over. You’re an adult now and should start developing an interest in what is going into your body. Everything is probably pretty hectic and fast paced right now, so scruffing down food that is high in saturated fat, sugar, and oil is the last thing you need. It’ll slow you down and make you tired quicker. So, switching to a healthier diet wouldn’t be a bad choice to make around this time. Those in their 30’s and 40’s are just the same, except, you’re getting a bit older and your metabolism may not be as high as it use to be. So, implementing healthy foods and exercise into your diet would be a good lifestyle choice. Signs of early onset Alzheimer’s range in around age 50.

Regular health advice, usually from your doctor, like staying active and keeping cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure down and under control, is the direction you want to head in. I know we’ve all heard it before, said “Ok. I’m going to do it” and brushed it off because we’ve all been surviving this long, BUT as we get older we need to take it more seriously. Make it a goal to start tomorrow! Start with small goals and work your way up. “OK. Tomorrow I won’t go to McDonald’s after work for the big mac with extra mac sauce and 30 nuggets because its a deal. Instead I’ll take a leafy green salad to work for lunch and try that.” When, not if you like it, because I know you’ll love it, you can do it again tomorrow or next week, or every other day. You’ll feel lighter and more energized. Study participants with all three of those traits mentioned earlier were found to be six times more likely to get dementia than somebody without any of those traits, according to researcher Dr. Miia Kivipelto of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.

So what should I be eating? Stock up on fruit and vegetables, the more the better. Eat up across the color spectrum (strawberries, grapes, oranges, pineapple, broccoli, greens etc.) to maximize the amount of protective antioxidants you receive. Get plenty of omega-3 fats, like salmon, tuna, trout, sardines etc. FISH IS BRAIN FOOD! Also, enjoy some daily cups of tea. It could enhance memory and mental alertness. White and oolong teas in particularly. Also do some cooking at home instead of going out. This way you know EXACTLY what is in your food and guess what, seconds are free! These are the keys to mental success!… On the consumption end of things. There are of course other things to get your mind flowing, but these foods are better for your brain!

Why do I always find myself…

..STUCK IN ROUTINE!

|IDENTIFYING WHY WE FORM HABITUAL BEHAVIOR|

“Neurons Responsible for Orchestrating Habitual Behavior Identified”

Ever wonder why you always go for chocolate at 1 a.m.? Or why you just can’t simply enjoy Scandal without your glass of wine? Ever gotten into a car with a friend and got instantly annoyed when they took a different route to a place you travel to everyday? That my friend is what we call, “Habit Stricken”. Stuck in the routine of things. But why do our brains develop this habit? What sparks within us? Recently, I have become exceedingly interested in the topic of neuroscience and brain functionality. I find it vital for us to understand and learn how the brain operates, whether it is through simple or complex actions, and discover how and why those actions are performed. If we study what is normal within our brains it becomes easier for us to recognize what may be broken within them.

This week I came across a very interesting article on neurosciencenews.com [Click for Source]. This article discussed a new study done by Duke University Neuroscientists. The goal of the study was to identify the key neuron in our brain responsible for delegating habit within us. The tests were performed on mice with a developed sugar habit. Researchers trained healthy mice to retrieve a healthy treat every time they passed a lever. The team then studied the brain activity of these mice every time they secured a treat.

They discovered that habit formation boosts the activity of an influential cell in the striatum, a region in our brain, and that shutting it down with a drug was enough to break the habits in sugar-seeking mice. The actual parts of the brain that drove habitual behavior were found not responsible for the development of the habit, but rather a more controlling cell in the brain that would signals to those areas. The mice that developed a habit lit up an area deep in their brain called the striatum. The striatum contained two sets of neural pathways: a “go” and “stop” pathway. The “go” pathway, was responsible for inciting an action and the “stop” pathway inhibited an action.

The cell was described as relatively rare, but a cell that was heavily connected to the main neurons that relayed outgoing messages. This cell was called the fast-spiking interneuron (FSI). Researchers noticed that when the mice pressed the lever for a treat, it made the FSI’s in the striatum area of the brain more excitable. This area began to work harder. So, they gave the mice a drug that decreased the firing of FSIs in the brain and found that the “stop” and “go” pathways reverted to their “pre-habit” brain activity patterns. The habit behavior disappeared.

This then rose questions regarding people who deal with addictions and compulsion disorders. Why do they have these disorders? Perhaps there was corruption within certain neurons in their brain that caused the addiction. Maybe by targeting certain areas of the brain, we can find new ways to decrease the effects of these disorders and possibly develop a temporary, if not permanent cure to control these disorders. I think that studies like this are what helps us delve deeper into our understanding of normal brain processes. This type of research allows us to understand why certain habitual actions take place and how some bad habits may have developed and lived on. For example, driving the same route every day, showering every night before bed or always helping yourself to the two jelly filled donuts you see when walking past the snack station at work. The more we know about what are normal processes within our brain, the easier it will be to find what is broken within them.