Memory storage in the human brain has long fascinated me.  First contemplating the idea in the mid-80s is what compelled me to a career in neuroscience. When we remember something, what is exactly happening in the brain?  It is likely that a set of nerve cells connected to each other in a complex way across wide region in the brain becomes activated.  As this set of cells fires synchronously or [...]

Fish has long been known as a brain food as the omega-3 fatty acids found in many fish are an important constituent of brain tissue. These compounds are not produced by the human body and must be consumed in the diet.  As such omega-3 fatty acids in the form of docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are a commonly taken supplement. Evidence supporting the benefit of omega-3 consumption [...]

There is a very clear association: the less calories consumed the longer the lifespan. This is of course within limits – one can obviously die of starvation. Caloric restriction is generally limited to 25-20% less calories than needed to maintain ideal body weight and it practiced with adequate maintenance of vitamins, mineral, and nutrients. Many studies suggest such practice extends lifespan [...]

The connectome refers to the comprehensive 3D structural and synaptic map of the brain. The brain is astoundingly complex in structure, composed of 100 billion nerve cells each connected to about 10,000 other nerve cells in 1000 quadrillion synapses.  It is this exact physical structure along with each synapse’s strength that determines exactly who we are and defines our conscious state. Some [...]

Modern science is hot on the heels of Alzheimer’s disease, a very common progressively dementing illness found late in life for which no effective treatment is available. Alzheimer’s occurs in part due to abnormal deposits of a toxic protein called beta amyloid in the brain.  A recent study showed that tau protein, another toxic substance found within the cells of Alzheimer’s [...]

Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered for the first time a new class of cellular proteins that live as long as the organism. Normally proteins are built from DNA instruction sets and are rapidly turned over, existing for usually no more than 2 days.  This is particularly important because over time proteins can be easily damaged by debris and reactive oxygen species abundant within cells. [...]

Parkinson Disease is a devastating disorder that affects about 500,00 American and 1 in 250 over age 65. Once it develops patients gradually lose motor function and accrue significant disability, leading to shortened lifespan. The cause of the disease is not known but involves progressive loss of brain cells that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine, important in initiating and maintaining movement. A [...]

Two studies have just been published that shed light on the scientific enigma of how Alzheimer’s spreads through the brain. Alzheimer’s disease is a very common affliction of the aged, affecting 1 in 4 persons at age 80 and 1 in 2 at age 90. It progressively destroys cortical function of the brain rendering sufferers demented and robbing them of quality f life. Despite its extraordinary [...]

Caloric restriction is the most robust known method to reduce aging and extend lifespan in mammals. By reducing caloric intake to roughly 70% of the daily requirement, and ensuring proper nutrient and vitamin intake, animals of many species will live significantly longer than those allowed to feed freely. They also show less age related disease such as obesity, diabetes, cancer and brain degeneration (dementia). In [...]

Scientists have reported that they were able to reverse age-related changes in rats’ brains by treating animals with a drug. As animals and human age brain function deteriorates.  Particularly,  cells of the hippocampus become less effective at storing new information;  their synapses lose structure and function. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a protein found in the brain that [...]