neurons-related stories
Headstand: Will it help you think?
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And researchers are looking at ways to incorporate this idea into modern medicine. For instance, they're looking in to how it can possibly help with illnesses like schizophrenia and Alzheimer's. So would new treatments involve hanging by your feet, a la Batman? Only time will tell.
Adult brain cells keep growing
You've probably heard that, once you reach adulthood, you lose the ability to grown new brain cells. But, according to a recent study, that may be just a myth.
Researchers at MIT discovered that, while the changes in the neurons of adult brains were significantly smaller than what goes on in younger years, "the fact that it goes on at all is earth-shattering."
Apparently scientists made their discovery by looking at a set of neurons not normally studied -- called "interneurons." These interneurons make up about 20 to 30 percent of the neocortex (the part of your brain responsible for higher functions -- like thought) -- so, because they're malleable, it means that large-scale changes in adult brains might be possible.
Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks.
Exercise keeps your brain from shrinking
In case you haven't been paying attention, exercise is awesome. It prevents obesity and cancer, improves cardiovascular health, stops you from shrinking so much in old age, and will combat those holiday pounds like nothing else will.
And now, as an added bonus, scientists have discovered that exercise also helps your brain. By stimulating the production of brain neurons in older adults, physical activity actually keeps the brain from shrinking in old age.
Previously, scientists had thought such production of new neurons was impossible. However, this recent research suggests that three hours of brisk walking per day can help seniors at risk of losing their independent functioning.
So get active!
