After there has been an injury to the brain, or once dementia had started, researchers at one time thought there was no possibility of healing. Most scientists believed that the brain did not produce new brain cells. New research reveals that it is not true.
After taking a new look at brain cells, scientists have concluded that new ones do replace the old ones in some areas of the brain. They also learned that new brain cells are produced slower than old cells die off. In the aging brain, it means that new ones are not being generated fast enough, sometimes resulting in neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or another kind of dementia.
Humans produce new neurons, particularly in the hippocampus, where memories are stored. This area of the brain makes about 1,400 new neurons every day.
Scientists have learned that a single protein (DLX2) turns stem-like cells into brain cells. Somehow, it can differentiate the cells into several types – all of which are necessary to regain proper brain function.
When injury to the brain occurs, scientists discovered that brain cells revert to a younger, less mature state. Once in that state, they can regrow damaged or destroyed connections and begin to undo brain disorders.
Experiments so far have been limited to working with mice, rats, and dogs. Researchers hope to learn how to use the protein to speed up the production of neurons and the healing process.
Three-dimensional printed implants have been used on rats to treat injuries to the spinal cord. They helped restore the growth of nerve cells. Growing cells in a dish under lab conditions would enable more cells to be produced quickly, possibly helping to reverse the damage faster.
Another study on dogs revealed that injecting precursor brain cells into the part of the brain for memory helped reverse some of the problems. The success of some of these trials means that tests could start on humans before long.
Experiments on mice have also proved that there may be more than one way to deal with this problem. Blood plasma from young mice was injected in older mice showing symptoms of dementia. Their symptoms improved, and they began acting more like young mice. The process resulted in speeding up the development of new neurons that integrated with existing ones, which restored their previous memory.
The reverse was also tested. Brain cells from old mice were injected into young mice. The result was that the young mice started showing brain problems like those of old mice with cognitive dysfunction.
While scientists continue to research ways to speed up neurogenesis (the growth of new neurons) there are some things you can do to help ward off or slow the development of dementia. Exercise remains one of the best ways to protect your brain. Research from the University of Pennsylvania has demonstrated that the size of the hippocampus can be increased with regular exercise – defeating the loss of neurons by a couple of years, possibly enabling you to have a longer longevity.
Eating healthy meals also helps when you give your brain the best nutrients. Avoiding the use of tobacco products and moderate alcohol consumption will also help.
