I rarely get excited about anything reported in the news but yesterday was an exception. On February 8, 2009 the reporter announced that a team of researchers at the University of California in San Diego published an article in the Journal of Nature Magazine about a recent study done that could affect the future of Alzheimer's treatment. Athough this treatment is not touted as a cure, it could offer a means to delay or slow down the affects of this disease.
As part of the study, neuroscientists injected the gene or protein called BDNF into the entorhinal region of the brains in adult and aging rodents and monkeys. BDNF showed a protective and stimulating effect on the neurons, slowing damage and even reversing it. Nerve cells in areas with lesions that should've died lived, and atrophied cells regained function. Treated animals demonstrated notable improvements in learning and memory tests.
What is BDNF?BDNF is a gene and also a protein. It is formally known as Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor. It's a growth factor produced by neurons primarily in the hippocampus and cortex of the brain when nerve cells are active. It is highly protective of nerve cells (neurons). It affects their survival and functions in the Central Nervous System, especially in areas of the brain susceptible to damage by Alzheimer's disease (AD). BDNF protein is important for long-term memory. It stimulates and controls the growth of new neurons and has been called the Miracle-Gro of brain proteins. It helps the brain make the necessary changes that accommodate learning and memory. BDNF levels are only 25% of normal in Alzheimer patients.
What does this mean for us and our brains?The hippocampus, cortex and entorhinal cortex (see illustration below) are vital centers for learning, memory, encoding new information and higher thinking skills. The brain makes changes within itself as we learn. New neural pathways develop as we have new experiences and acquire new knowledge. Damage to these areas severely affects the brain's ability to change, thereby hindering our ability to learn and retain new information. This is the main cause of memory problems and difficulty with directions that alerts us to the early stages of AD.
Is there anything we can do to help ourselves?Yes! This is why this news is so exciting.
It appears that science has just provided us with yet another significant health benefit of lowering stress and increasing mental and physical activity. These are three free, simple and powerful ways you can help your brain produce increased levels of BDNF.
1- Learning and intellectual stimulation. As you are reading this article you are helping to keep your brain sharp by developing new neural pathways to accommodate your new knowledge. As the information is being encoded in the brain, BDNF levels increase rapidly. Watching TV is not intellectual stimulation.
2- Exercise.
Exercise quickly increases BDNF. Studies show that active adults have less risk of succumbing to depression or losing cognitive abilities. The risk of developing Alzheimer's disease or dementia of any type is reduced. Exercise improves depression in normal adults and those with moderate to severe AD and dementia.
Earlier studies involving rodents and BDNF showed that exercising on alternate days is as effective as exercising every day. Levels increased almost twofold after three months. If you stop exercising, your levels will drop back to where you started within seven days. The good news is that when you begin exercising again, you can regain what you lost within a few days.
Experts suggest a routine of mild aerobic exercise such as brisk walking for 30 minutes four or more days a week.
3- Reduce stress.Being stressed and the stress hormone corticosterone were shown to lower BDNF in rats. This lead to degeneration of the hippocampus. This damage is also seen in people suffering from clinical depression.
Anti-depressants, the neurotransmitter glutamate, restricting calories, electro-convulsive therapy and deep brain stimulation as used in Parkinson's disease also raise BDNF levels in the brain.
Hopefully, the test animals will continue to respond well to treatment and human trials can begin next year. It sounds as if this is the most promising treatment for Alzheimer's yet.
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