What we can do to prevent Alzheimer’s

By Anonymous -
https://www.ted.com/talks/lisa_genova_what_you_can_do_to_prevent_alzheimer_s?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshareBlog assignment

Lisa Genova explains that DNA or old  age doesn't doom us to Alzheimer's and how we can prevent the effects of the disease. According to Statistics 1 in 3 people either have alzheimer's or in some way affected by it. This disease can be terrifying because it can not be treated or cured. Alzheimer's happens in the synapses of the brain.when neurons are communicating  they release amyloid beta along with other neurotransmitters, this is peptide is cleared from the synapse, they are usually cleared away by microglia “cleaners”. Scientist believe that the buildup of amyloid beta , makes plaques . After 20-30 years of build up of the plaques, there is a threshold. Ones the threshold is passed out microglia “ cleaner cells go on overdrive and may even clear the whole synapse, which can result in cell death. Scientist believe the best way to not get alzheimer's is to prevent it. Our DNA by itself  doesn't determine alzheimer’s, which means we have other things that can influence on us getting that disease. Things to prevent alzheimer's , sleep, cardiovascular health, healthy diet and a cognitive reserve. Even if one is symptomatic, there is a way to slow and or possibly stop the effects of the disease. Since alzheimer's affects our synapse, if one has an abundance of cognitive reserve they will not see the effects of Alzheimer's. A cognitive reserve is the amplenes of functional synapse which is acquired by engaging regularly in a mentally stimulating activity.  By learning new things and making new neural connections, it is possible to avoid the effects of alzheimer's and even prevent it anyways.
In this video Lisa  Genova touches lightly on neuroplasticity and its  importance, in my infant and child development class, we learned the importance of creating new synapses, neuroplasticity and pruning and it really stood out to me. In that class it’s to allow the infant to learn its environment and prosper. It highlights the more connections the child is now to make, (depending what parents expose the infant to ) the faster the infant learns and continues to the next stage in growing.  The more connection we have the faster we learn. Which is something we should all do as we grow older is to strengthen our cognitive because it could eventually save our lives from this disease.

Comments

  1. kaleb yilmaApril 22, 2019 at 7:49 AM

    The idea that we have cognitive reserves is quite astonishing. I always believed that Alzheimers was a disease that was passed down hereditarily, so its interesting to find out that it is caused by the buildup of this amyloid beta. It would have been good if you had mentioned the other casual factors to Alzheimer and then lead into what people can do to prevent it. Overall this was very informational because Alzheimer effects many different walks of life. It seems important that our cognitive reserves be strong enough to battle this disease. Alzheimer not only effects the way we communicate but the quality of life.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kaitlyn KellerApril 22, 2019 at 7:56 AM

    https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/sleep-deprivation-increases-alzheimers-protein

    In this article it explains how sleep derivation can cause an increase in amyloid beta. In the study it explains that it can increase up to 5% with lack of sleep. We learned in class that we need sleep to help our brain wash away the waste that builds up during the day. This waste cause cause a build up of plaque in our brain if we don't get enough sleep. That plaque then hinders the communication between neurons. This is a step forward in the hope of helping prevent this disease in the future.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sniffing Pleasant Odors may Decrease Cigarette Cravings

By -
https://neurosciencenews.com/olfaction-cigarette-craving-11085/ Smoking today is known to be an addictive habit. In fact, a significant group of people who want to quit smoking will relapse after roughly two weeks of not smoking. However, a new study from the APA has shown that smokers who sniff a pleasant smell prior to smoking will have an easier time resisting the urge to smoke. In this study, the researchers selected 232 smokers from the ages of 18-55. First, the participants were exposed to multiple different smells and asked to identify the most pleasant smell to them. Then, participants were asked to light a cigarette and rate (from 1-100) their desire to smoke that cigarette. After the participants gave a rating, they were given a container to sniff the odor that each participant said was most pleasant. The results suggest that sniffing the pleasant odor while a cigarette was lit caused the craving of smoking the cigarette to decrease. The researchers believe that the ple
Read more

Holding hands can sync brainwaves, ease pain, study shows

By -
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180301094822.htm Summary: Pain researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder and University of Haifa did a studying showing just how far-reaching the simple act of touch can be. They have been studying a phenomenon known as “interpersonal synchronization”, which is the idea that people physiologically sync with those they are with. Pavel Goldstein is the first to look at brain wave synchronization and its relation to pain. He was compelled to do so after the birth of his daughter because it was through that experience he realized holding his wife’s hand helped to eased her pain. He decided to take this idea to the lab in hopes to unveil the science behind a healing touch. They found through their study that “…pain totally interrupts this interpersonal synchronization between couples and touch brings it back.” Touch is powerful and it may even activate pain-killing reward mechanisms in the brain. So if ever you find yourself i
Read more

Music Therapy

By Laurel McNeal -
http:/ /www.brainfacts.org/Diseases-and-Disorders/Neurodegenerative-Disorders/2019/Music-as-Therapy-011719 Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common forms of dementia that effects memory, thinking, and behavior. In the U.S it is estimated that about 5.7 million people have Alzheimer’s and there is not a cure available. Leading caregivers to look for new ways to help their loved ones have a better day to day life. The article talks about how music therapy could help to manage symptoms like depression, anger, and agitation. Helping to improve patients mood and behavior, while decreasing the amount of medication they must take. The music does not cure the disease but does help to stimulate the brain. Music uses many different areas of the brain at one time. The brain must hear and process sounds, language, emotions, and if singing or dancing plan movements. In one research study scientist scanned the brains of dementia patients while they listened to music. One area the supplementa
Read more