En hipocampo.org hay una nota en Español que pongo abajo sobre lo que mencioné antes de la curcumina y el Alzheimer:
El pigmento del curry, nueva esperanza para el Alzheimer
La curcumina (Curcuma longa, azafrán de Las Indias), pigmento amarillo utilizado en la elaboración del polvo de curry, podría constituir una nueva esperanza en el tratamiento de la enfermedad de Alzheimer. La revista Journal of Biological Chemistry publica en su edición preliminar online un estudio de investigadores de la Universidad de California en Los Ángeles que muestra cómo la curcumina inhibe in vivo la formación de ß-amiloide (ßA).
La curcumina ya ha demostrado con anterioridad fuertes propiedades antiinflamatorias y antioxidantes, siendo capaz de suprimir el daño oxidativo, la inflamación, los déficit cognoscitivos y la acumulación de amiloide.
Dado que la estructura molecular de la curcumina sugería su potencial de ligarse al ßA, los autores de este estudio decidieron investigar si su eficacia en modelos de enfermedad de Alzheimer podría explicarse mediante sus efectos sobre la agregación del ßA.
Bajo condiciones de agregación in vitro, la curcumina no sólo inhibe la agregación, sino que también muestra poder de desagregación del ßA(40) fibrilar, indicando una estequiometría favorable para la inhibición. Demostró ser mejor inhibidor de la agregación del ßA(40) que el ibuprofeno y el naproxeno, e impidió la formación y toxicidad del oligómero ßA(42). Estos efectos de la curcumina no dependían de la secuencia del ßA, sino de su conformación fibrilar. Unos cortes cerebrales incubados con curcumina, procedentes de ratones transgénicos modelo de enfermedad de Alzheimer, revelaron un marcado preferencial de la placas de amiloide.
Los estudios in vivo demostraron que la injección de curcumina por vía periférica atravesaba la barrera hematoencefálica y se ligaba a las placas de amiloide en ratones transgénicos de avanzada edad. Usada como alimento en viejos ratones transgénicos Tg2576 (un modelo transgénico de enfermedad de Alzheimer) con avanzada acumulación de amiloide, la curcumina marcaba las placas y reducía tanto los niveles de amiloide como la carga de placas.
Por lo tanto, la curcumina se liga al ßA bloqueando su agregación y su conformación fibrilar, tanto in vitro como in vivo.
Los autores afirman en sus conclusiones que ". . . Estos datos sugieren que la curcumina a dosis bajas desagrega eficazmente el ßA evitando también la formación de fibrillas y oligómeros, respaldando la argumentación para el uso de la curcumina en ensayos clínicos de prevención o tratamiento de la enfermedad de Alzheimer".
F. Yang et al. Curcumin inhibits formation of Aß oligomers and fibrils and binds plaques
and reduces amyloid in vivo. J Biol Chem 2004, 10.1074/jbc.M404751200
hipocampo.org
Nootrópicos (smartdrugs, drogas inteligentes, potenciadores cognitivos) son sustancias artificiales (medicamentos como piracetam, hydergina, citicolina, fosfatidilserina, vinpocetina, etc.) o naturales (suplementos nutricionales, vitaminas, aminoácidos, hormonas, hierbas, etc. como vitaminas B, piroglutamato, Gingko Biloba, fenilalanina, DHEA, pregnenolona, etc.) que se utilizan para mejorar la capacidad cognitiva (memoria, atención, etc.) en personas con trastornos o normales.
martes, agosto 08, 2006
La curcuma mejora el cerebro en ancianos
Popular curry spice is a brain booster
04 August 2006
From New Scientist Print Edition. Subscribe and get 4 free issues.
Call it yellow ginger, haldi, turmeric or E100, the yellow root of Curcuma longa, a staple ingredient in curry, is turning out to be gratifyingly healthy. Now Tze-Pin Ng and colleagues at the National University of Singapore have discovered that curry eating seems to boost brain power in elderly people.
Curcumin, a constituent of turmeric, is an antioxidant, and reports have suggested that it inhibits the build-up of amyloid plaques in people with Alzheimer's. Ng's team looked at the curry-eating habits of 1010 Asian people unaffected by Alzheimer's and aged between 60 and 93, and compared their performance in a standard test of cognitive function, the Mini Mental State Examination. Those people who consumed curry "occasionally" (once or more in 6 months but less than once a month) and "often" (more than once a month) had better MMSE results than those who only ate curry "never or rarely" (American Journal of Epidemiology, DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwj267).
"What is remarkable is that apparently one needs only to consume curry once in a while for the better cognitive performance to be evidenced," says Ng, who says he wants to confirm the results, possibly in a controlled clinical trial comparing curcumin and a placebo.
From issue 2563 of New Scientist magazine, 04 August 2006, page 18
04 August 2006
From New Scientist Print Edition. Subscribe and get 4 free issues.
Call it yellow ginger, haldi, turmeric or E100, the yellow root of Curcuma longa, a staple ingredient in curry, is turning out to be gratifyingly healthy. Now Tze-Pin Ng and colleagues at the National University of Singapore have discovered that curry eating seems to boost brain power in elderly people.
Curcumin, a constituent of turmeric, is an antioxidant, and reports have suggested that it inhibits the build-up of amyloid plaques in people with Alzheimer's. Ng's team looked at the curry-eating habits of 1010 Asian people unaffected by Alzheimer's and aged between 60 and 93, and compared their performance in a standard test of cognitive function, the Mini Mental State Examination. Those people who consumed curry "occasionally" (once or more in 6 months but less than once a month) and "often" (more than once a month) had better MMSE results than those who only ate curry "never or rarely" (American Journal of Epidemiology, DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwj267).
"What is remarkable is that apparently one needs only to consume curry once in a while for the better cognitive performance to be evidenced," says Ng, who says he wants to confirm the results, possibly in a controlled clinical trial comparing curcumin and a placebo.
From issue 2563 of New Scientist magazine, 04 August 2006, page 18
lunes, agosto 07, 2006
Caidas en ancianos pueden indicar problemas cerebrales
Hay una interesante nota en que explica que ciertas lesiones cerebrales como hemorragias producidas por golpes (aún golpes leves o movimientos bruscos de la cabeza en un cerebro que ya está afectado por el encojimiento, lo que produce tensión en los vasos sanguíneos que pueden sangrar), pueden ser la causa de caídas o cambios del comportamiento. Se requiere atención para evitar el paso de tiempo sin atender el problema de base.
As the years go by, the adult brain slowly atrophies, like a desiccated orange detaching from its rind. The shrinkage can cause problems. Cerebral veins are tethered to the superior sagittal sinus, the large blood vessel that runs front to back along the underside of the skull. As the brain contracts, these bridging veins must stretch, making them vulnerable to shearing forces caused by rapid head movements or even modest contusions. Without sufficient brain tissue to support and compress the bleeding site, small, low-pressure venous leaks may go unstanched. The blood seeps into the gap between the arachnoid membrane that encloses the brain and the lining of the skull, or dura mater. Bleeding into this space is called a subdural hematoma.
Acute subdural hematomas result from severe head trauma and expand quickly. Chronic subdural hematomas, on the other hand, often spread slowly—and without visible symptoms. What really scares emergency physicians—and has me repeating to patients and their families, "Return if there's any change in behavior"—is that older people who have fallen can look fine for weeks before the bleeding causes symptoms. By then, relatives will have forgotten the long-ago head knock, attributing Granddad's confusion to the heat, the cold, or a dizzy spell. Without that critical, sometimes lifesaving clue, precious time is lost.
Vital Signs: Why is Grandpa Falling?
A seemingly simple stumble provides clues to serious injury.
By Tony Dajer
DISCOVER Vol. 27 No. 08 | August 2006 |
As the years go by, the adult brain slowly atrophies, like a desiccated orange detaching from its rind. The shrinkage can cause problems. Cerebral veins are tethered to the superior sagittal sinus, the large blood vessel that runs front to back along the underside of the skull. As the brain contracts, these bridging veins must stretch, making them vulnerable to shearing forces caused by rapid head movements or even modest contusions. Without sufficient brain tissue to support and compress the bleeding site, small, low-pressure venous leaks may go unstanched. The blood seeps into the gap between the arachnoid membrane that encloses the brain and the lining of the skull, or dura mater. Bleeding into this space is called a subdural hematoma.
Acute subdural hematomas result from severe head trauma and expand quickly. Chronic subdural hematomas, on the other hand, often spread slowly—and without visible symptoms. What really scares emergency physicians—and has me repeating to patients and their families, "Return if there's any change in behavior"—is that older people who have fallen can look fine for weeks before the bleeding causes symptoms. By then, relatives will have forgotten the long-ago head knock, attributing Granddad's confusion to the heat, the cold, or a dizzy spell. Without that critical, sometimes lifesaving clue, precious time is lost.
Vital Signs: Why is Grandpa Falling?
A seemingly simple stumble provides clues to serious injury.
By Tony Dajer
DISCOVER Vol. 27 No. 08 | August 2006 |
miércoles, agosto 02, 2006
Suplementos para el deterioro mental
Monday, July 31, 2006
Dietary supplements for mental decline (Alzheimer's)
Knowledge of Health, Inc., Blog – August 1, 2006: So mom’s in the nursing home, loaded up with ineffective drugs to help overcome signs of senility and memory loss, plus other drugs for blood pressure and circulation. A small study of 35 such patients (average age 71 years) shows that the addition of dietary supplements (multivitamin, vitamin E, lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10, omega-3 oils) along with physical exercise and sound dietary measures slowed the decline in brain function and actually improved memory and other brain functions. [American Journal Alzheimer’s Disease 20: 21-26, 2005] Now all you have to do is get the doctor to go along with the idea. –Copyright 2006 Bill Sardi, Knowledge of Health, Inc.
knowledgeofhealth.com
Dietary supplements for mental decline (Alzheimer's)
Knowledge of Health, Inc., Blog – August 1, 2006: So mom’s in the nursing home, loaded up with ineffective drugs to help overcome signs of senility and memory loss, plus other drugs for blood pressure and circulation. A small study of 35 such patients (average age 71 years) shows that the addition of dietary supplements (multivitamin, vitamin E, lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10, omega-3 oils) along with physical exercise and sound dietary measures slowed the decline in brain function and actually improved memory and other brain functions. [American Journal Alzheimer’s Disease 20: 21-26, 2005] Now all you have to do is get the doctor to go along with the idea. –Copyright 2006 Bill Sardi, Knowledge of Health, Inc.
knowledgeofhealth.com
martes, agosto 01, 2006
Alimentos que deprimen o estimulan
Según la Médico naturista Albertinazi (en una entrevista con Chiche Gelblung por radio) hay alimentos de deprimen o estimulan.
Deprimen (o mejor dicho sedan):
Azúcar blanco
Demasiada proteína cansa
vegetales verdes, sedantes por contener vitamina B6
tronco de la lechuga
Estimulan, ponen alegre:
ácidos grasos Omega 3, de pescado de aguas frías (que comen Krill) o de semillas de lino, semillas de chía u hojas verdes. Las semillas agregadas al pan pierden los omega en la cocción.
alimentos crudos dan energía (fruta, zanahorias, repollo crudo, no el repollo fermentado que sin embargo mejora la digestión)
jengibre da energía pero eleva la presión, se puede tomar una cucharadita por día o en té para los resfríos
Deprimen (o mejor dicho sedan):
Azúcar blanco
Demasiada proteína cansa
vegetales verdes, sedantes por contener vitamina B6
tronco de la lechuga
Estimulan, ponen alegre:
ácidos grasos Omega 3, de pescado de aguas frías (que comen Krill) o de semillas de lino, semillas de chía u hojas verdes. Las semillas agregadas al pan pierden los omega en la cocción.
alimentos crudos dan energía (fruta, zanahorias, repollo crudo, no el repollo fermentado que sin embargo mejora la digestión)
jengibre da energía pero eleva la presión, se puede tomar una cucharadita por día o en té para los resfríos
viernes, julio 28, 2006
Ampakinas revierten perdida de memoria
Drug triggers body's mechanism to reverse aging effect on memory process
A drug made to enhance memory appears to trigger a natural mechanism in the
brain that fully reverses age-related memory loss, even after the drug
itself has left the body, according to researchers at UC Irvine.
Professors Christine Gall and Gary Lynch, along with Associate Researcher
Julie Lauterborn, were among a group of scientists who conducted studies on
rats with a class of drugs known as ampakines. Ampakines were developed in
the early 1990s by UC researchers, including Lynch, to treat age-related
memory impairment and may be useful for treating a number of central
nervous system disorders, such as Alzheimer�s disease and schizophrenia. In
this study, the researchers showed that ampakine drugs continue to reverse
the effects of aging on a brain mechanism thought to underlie learning and
memory even after they are no longer in the body. They do so by boosting
the production of a naturally occurring protein in the brain necessary for
long-term memory formation.
The study appears in the August issue of the Journal of Neurophysiology.
This is a significant discovery,� said Gall, professor of anatomy and
neurobiology. �Our results indicate the exciting possibility that ampakines
could be used to treat learning and memory loss associated with normal aging.�
ver nota
A drug made to enhance memory appears to trigger a natural mechanism in the
brain that fully reverses age-related memory loss, even after the drug
itself has left the body, according to researchers at UC Irvine.
Professors Christine Gall and Gary Lynch, along with Associate Researcher
Julie Lauterborn, were among a group of scientists who conducted studies on
rats with a class of drugs known as ampakines. Ampakines were developed in
the early 1990s by UC researchers, including Lynch, to treat age-related
memory impairment and may be useful for treating a number of central
nervous system disorders, such as Alzheimer�s disease and schizophrenia. In
this study, the researchers showed that ampakine drugs continue to reverse
the effects of aging on a brain mechanism thought to underlie learning and
memory even after they are no longer in the body. They do so by boosting
the production of a naturally occurring protein in the brain necessary for
long-term memory formation.
The study appears in the August issue of the Journal of Neurophysiology.
This is a significant discovery,� said Gall, professor of anatomy and
neurobiology. �Our results indicate the exciting possibility that ampakines
could be used to treat learning and memory loss associated with normal aging.�
ver nota
miércoles, julio 19, 2006
Nos linkea Alamut
Nos linkea el blog Alamut en gregorius.blogia.com : Grietas en la realidad consensuada y Cultura Pop No aristotélica, donde hay una serie de links a otros sitios interesantes.
No, no sé qué quiere decir Alamut...
No, no sé qué quiere decir Alamut...
martes, julio 11, 2006
Cafiaspirina vs. Cafiaspirina Plus
Las tabletas de aspirina de bayer se venden sueltas y no traen la composición como antes, cosa que me parece muy mal.
Por eso se me ocurrió buscar la composición en kairosweb.com
CAFIASPIRINA PLUS - BAYER CONSUMER
Cada comprimido contiene: ácido acetilsalicílico 650mg, cafeína 65mg, en un excipiente de: almidón de maíz csp 850mg.
CAFIASPIRINA - BAYER CONSUMER
Cada comprimido contiene: ácido acetilsalicílico 500mg, cafeína 40mg, en un excipiente de: almidón de maíz csp 650mg.
Según lo que me dijo un farmacéutico, el agregado de cafeína potencia el efecto analgésico de la aspirina (ácido acetil salicílico). La publicidad no apunta a eso sino al efecto estimulante, como bien se ve en la frase "el dolor pare, vos no". ¡Dale dale sin parar, tomate un par de Cafiaspirinas como se ve en el aviso de la tele y seguí laburando y jodiendo y haciendo como que tu estómago es de acero inoxidable (y como que la naturaleza creó el dolor y la temperatura para molestar nomás y que no avisan de nada)!.
Para malestares comunes a mí me alcanza y sobra con una baya o cafia común.
Por eso se me ocurrió buscar la composición en kairosweb.com
CAFIASPIRINA PLUS - BAYER CONSUMER
Cada comprimido contiene: ácido acetilsalicílico 650mg, cafeína 65mg, en un excipiente de: almidón de maíz csp 850mg.
CAFIASPIRINA - BAYER CONSUMER
Cada comprimido contiene: ácido acetilsalicílico 500mg, cafeína 40mg, en un excipiente de: almidón de maíz csp 650mg.
Según lo que me dijo un farmacéutico, el agregado de cafeína potencia el efecto analgésico de la aspirina (ácido acetil salicílico). La publicidad no apunta a eso sino al efecto estimulante, como bien se ve en la frase "el dolor pare, vos no". ¡Dale dale sin parar, tomate un par de Cafiaspirinas como se ve en el aviso de la tele y seguí laburando y jodiendo y haciendo como que tu estómago es de acero inoxidable (y como que la naturaleza creó el dolor y la temperatura para molestar nomás y que no avisan de nada)!.
Para malestares comunes a mí me alcanza y sobra con una baya o cafia común.
martes, julio 04, 2006
Como realizar la respiracion Sudarshan Kriya de Ravi Shankar
Si no tiene los varios $ necesarios para hacer el curso de respiración Sudarshan Kriya según las enseñanzas de Sri Ravi Shankar (que no es el músico) que dicta la Fundación El Arte de Vivir (que por como lo divulgan parece gratis), aquí tiene la base de la técnica, tal cual la describe Jon Steinberg quien tomó uno de los cursos de cinco días en New York:
Estos son los pasos para realizar la respiración profunda abdominal y obtener sus beneficios de relajación de cuerpo y mente:
1- Siéntese en una posición confortable con su columna vertebral tan derecha como sea posible o acuéstese en el piso o en su cama. Cierre sus ojos y coloque sus manos sobre el abdomen, justo por debajo de las costillas.
2- Respire despacio y profundamente por la nariz, concentrándose en llenar la base de los pulmones de manera que su estómago se expanda suavemente. Sus manos deberán moverse hacia afuera junto con su estómago y su pecho se elevará, pero no demasiado.
3. Al final de la inhalación, haga una breve pausa y luego exhale lentamente por la nariz, permitiendo a su estómago desinflarse y a su pecho y espalda liberarse de toda tensión.
4. Haga una breve pausa y repita el ejercicio por un total de diez respiraciones. Cuando haya terminado, mantenga los ojos cerrados y respire normalmente por un minuto aproximadamente permitiendo que su respiración vuelva a su ritmo natural.
Una vez que aprendió la técnica puede realizar la respiración abdominal en cualquier parte: la oficina, el auto o en la cama por la noche. Recuerde canalizar la respiración por el estómago y no el pecho. Esto produccirá el reflejo de relajación.
alternativemedicine.com
Nota editada:
El artículo original ahora está disponible en http://www.naturalsolutionsmag.com/article-display/8814/subTopicID/170/Can-Deep-Breathing-Save-the-World
Los cursos no son gratis. Agregado: ver este comentario sobre arrepentidos del Arte de Vivir
Estos son los pasos para realizar la respiración profunda abdominal y obtener sus beneficios de relajación de cuerpo y mente:
1- Siéntese en una posición confortable con su columna vertebral tan derecha como sea posible o acuéstese en el piso o en su cama. Cierre sus ojos y coloque sus manos sobre el abdomen, justo por debajo de las costillas.
2- Respire despacio y profundamente por la nariz, concentrándose en llenar la base de los pulmones de manera que su estómago se expanda suavemente. Sus manos deberán moverse hacia afuera junto con su estómago y su pecho se elevará, pero no demasiado.
3. Al final de la inhalación, haga una breve pausa y luego exhale lentamente por la nariz, permitiendo a su estómago desinflarse y a su pecho y espalda liberarse de toda tensión.
4. Haga una breve pausa y repita el ejercicio por un total de diez respiraciones. Cuando haya terminado, mantenga los ojos cerrados y respire normalmente por un minuto aproximadamente permitiendo que su respiración vuelva a su ritmo natural.
Una vez que aprendió la técnica puede realizar la respiración abdominal en cualquier parte: la oficina, el auto o en la cama por la noche. Recuerde canalizar la respiración por el estómago y no el pecho. Esto produccirá el reflejo de relajación.
alternativemedicine.com
Nota editada:
El artículo original ahora está disponible en http://www.naturalsolutionsmag.com/article-display/8814/subTopicID/170/Can-Deep-Breathing-Save-the-World
Los cursos no son gratis. Agregado: ver este comentario sobre arrepentidos del Arte de Vivir
Otro estudio sobre el chocolate
"Chocolate contains many substances that act as stimulants, such as theobromine, phenethylamine, and caffeine," Dr. Bryan Raudenbush from Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia noted in comments to Reuters Health.
"These substances by themselves have previously been found to increase alertness and attention and what we have found is that by consuming chocolate you can get the stimulating effects, which then lead to increased mental performance."
...
"Composite scores for verbal and visual memory were significantly higher for milk chocolate than the other conditions," Raudenbush told Reuters Health. And consumption of milk and dark chocolate was associated with improved impulse control and reaction time."
Reuters
¿Será el azúcar o el chocolate?.
"These substances by themselves have previously been found to increase alertness and attention and what we have found is that by consuming chocolate you can get the stimulating effects, which then lead to increased mental performance."
...
"Composite scores for verbal and visual memory were significantly higher for milk chocolate than the other conditions," Raudenbush told Reuters Health. And consumption of milk and dark chocolate was associated with improved impulse control and reaction time."
Reuters
¿Será el azúcar o el chocolate?.
miércoles, junio 21, 2006
Trophic Factors Generate Functioning New Neurons for Brain Repair
Trophic Factors Generate Functioning New Neurons for Brain Repair : " To increase BDNF levels using safe, available measures, see [.../see/drugs/bdnfdrugs.htm](http://hdlighthouse.org/see/drugs/bdnfdrugs.htm), [.../treatment-care/care/hdltriad/exercise/updates/1243bdnf.php](http://hdlighthouse.org/treatment-care/care/hdltriad/exercise/updates/1243bdnf.php), and [.../TreatmentNow/updates/0085-SSRItreatment.php](http://hdlighthouse.org/TreatmentNow/updates/0085-SSRItreatment.php).)"
martes, junio 13, 2006
scyllo-inositol para el Alzheimer
In the brain of a person with Alzheimer's disease, small proteins called
amyloid â aggregate into plaques, and a protein called tau clumps into
neurofibrillary tangles. The brain becomes inflamed and neurons atrophy and
die. It's not completely clear what kind of amyloid â peptide (monomers,
oligomeric aggregates, or fibrillar aggregates) is responsible for the
onset of disease, said St George-Hyslop of the University of Toronto.
"Because we were able to show that scyllo-inositol specifically dispersed
the high-molecular-weight oligomeric aggregates, this study confirms that
the initiating event is the accumulation of oligomeric aggregates of
amyloid â peptide,” he said.
A Sweet Solution to Alzheimer's Disease?
amyloid â aggregate into plaques, and a protein called tau clumps into
neurofibrillary tangles. The brain becomes inflamed and neurons atrophy and
die. It's not completely clear what kind of amyloid â peptide (monomers,
oligomeric aggregates, or fibrillar aggregates) is responsible for the
onset of disease, said St George-Hyslop of the University of Toronto.
"Because we were able to show that scyllo-inositol specifically dispersed
the high-molecular-weight oligomeric aggregates, this study confirms that
the initiating event is the accumulation of oligomeric aggregates of
amyloid â peptide,” he said.
A Sweet Solution to Alzheimer's Disease?
viernes, junio 02, 2006
Plan de 14 dias para mejorar el cerebro
Un plan de ejercicios y nutrición saludable de 14 días puede mejorar el funcionamiento cerebral según una reciente investigación.
En el abstract se puede ver que los sujetos eran de 35 a 69 años (promedio 53): Seventeen nondemented subjects, aged 35–69 years (mean: 53 years, standard deviation: 10) with mild self-reported memory complaints but normal baseline memory performance.
El plan incluyó ejercicios mentales como crucigramas y juegos de ingenio, caminatas, pequeñas comidas cinco veces al día para mantener adecuados niveles de glucosa y ejercicios de relajación para combatir el stress (que libera el dañino cortisol).
El resultado fue un cerebro más eficiente mostrado por un menor metabolismo en las áreas activadas durante el procesamiento de memoria activa (cortex prefrontal dorso lateral).
Source: University of California - Los Angeles
Posted: May 22, 2006
Simple Lifestyle Changes May Improve Cognitive Function And Brain Efficiency
A UCLA research study published in the June issue of the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry found that people may be able to improve their cognitive function and brain efficiency by making simple lifestyle changes such as incorporating memory exercises, healthy eating, physical fitness and stress reduction into their daily lives.
"We've known for several years that diet and exercise can help people maintain their physical health and live longer, but maintaining mental health is just as important," said lead investigator, Dr. Gary Small, professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA. "The UCLA study is the first to show the impact of memory exercises and stress reduction used together with a healthy diet and physical exercise to improve brain and cognitive function."
Researchers found that after just 14 days of following healthy lifestyle strategies, study participants' brain metabolism decreased in working memory regions, suggesting an increased efficiency -- so the brain didn't have to work as hard to accomplish tasks.
For the two-week study, 17 subjects with normal baseline memory performance scores were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group did not make any behavior modifications, while a test group incorporated healthy longevity strategies to improve physical and mental function.
Details of the healthy strategies employed in the study also are highlighted in Small's new book to be published today, "The Longevity Bible: 8 Essential Strategies for Keeping Your Mind Sharp and Your Body Young" (Hyperion, New York, 2006).
Participants on the healthy longevity plan incorporated the following into their daily routine:
* To stimulate the brain, memory exercises such as crossword puzzles and brainteasers were conducted throughout the day.
* To improve physical fitness, participants took daily walks, which have been found to increase life expectancy and lower the risk of Alzheimer disease.
* To improve their diet, study participants on the plan ate five small meals a day, which prevents drops in blood glucose levels since glucose is the main energy source for the brain. In addition, they ate a balanced diet full of omega-3 fats, antioxidants and low glycemic carbohydrates like whole grains.
* To manage stress, participants performed daily relaxation exercises. Small notes that stress causes the body to release cortisol, a hormone that can impair memory and damage brain memory cells.
Brain function was tested before and after the 14-day study, using positron emission tomography (PET) scans to measure brain activity. Participants who followed the healthy longevity lifestyle plan demonstrated a five percent decrease in brain metabolism in the part of the brain directly linked to working memory called the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex.
"The finding suggests that for participants who had followed the healthy longevity program, the brain functioned more efficiently and didn't need to use as much glucose to perform effectively," Small said.
In addition, compared to the control group, participants also performed better in verbal fluency, a cognitive function controlled by the same brain region.
"The research demonstrates that in just 14 days, simple lifestyle changes can not only help overall health, but also improve memory and brain function," Small said. "Our next step is to assess the individual effects of each lifestyle strategy, which may help us develop an optimal combination.
The study was funded by the Fran and Ray Stark Foundation Fund for Alzheimer's Disease Research, the Judith Olenick Elgart Fund for Research on Brain Aging and the Parlow Solomon Professorship on Aging.
Study co-authors also were from UCLA and included Dr. Daniel Silverman, Prabha Siddarth, Linda Ercoli, Karen Miller, Dr. Helen Lavretsky, Dr. Benjamin Wright, Susan Bookheimer, Jorge Barrio and Michael Phelps.
The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, published monthly, is the official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry and can be found online at ajgponline.org
En el abstract se puede ver que los sujetos eran de 35 a 69 años (promedio 53): Seventeen nondemented subjects, aged 35–69 years (mean: 53 years, standard deviation: 10) with mild self-reported memory complaints but normal baseline memory performance.
El plan incluyó ejercicios mentales como crucigramas y juegos de ingenio, caminatas, pequeñas comidas cinco veces al día para mantener adecuados niveles de glucosa y ejercicios de relajación para combatir el stress (que libera el dañino cortisol).
El resultado fue un cerebro más eficiente mostrado por un menor metabolismo en las áreas activadas durante el procesamiento de memoria activa (cortex prefrontal dorso lateral).
Source: University of California - Los Angeles
Posted: May 22, 2006
Simple Lifestyle Changes May Improve Cognitive Function And Brain Efficiency
A UCLA research study published in the June issue of the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry found that people may be able to improve their cognitive function and brain efficiency by making simple lifestyle changes such as incorporating memory exercises, healthy eating, physical fitness and stress reduction into their daily lives.
"We've known for several years that diet and exercise can help people maintain their physical health and live longer, but maintaining mental health is just as important," said lead investigator, Dr. Gary Small, professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA. "The UCLA study is the first to show the impact of memory exercises and stress reduction used together with a healthy diet and physical exercise to improve brain and cognitive function."
Researchers found that after just 14 days of following healthy lifestyle strategies, study participants' brain metabolism decreased in working memory regions, suggesting an increased efficiency -- so the brain didn't have to work as hard to accomplish tasks.
For the two-week study, 17 subjects with normal baseline memory performance scores were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group did not make any behavior modifications, while a test group incorporated healthy longevity strategies to improve physical and mental function.
Details of the healthy strategies employed in the study also are highlighted in Small's new book to be published today, "The Longevity Bible: 8 Essential Strategies for Keeping Your Mind Sharp and Your Body Young" (Hyperion, New York, 2006).
Participants on the healthy longevity plan incorporated the following into their daily routine:
* To stimulate the brain, memory exercises such as crossword puzzles and brainteasers were conducted throughout the day.
* To improve physical fitness, participants took daily walks, which have been found to increase life expectancy and lower the risk of Alzheimer disease.
* To improve their diet, study participants on the plan ate five small meals a day, which prevents drops in blood glucose levels since glucose is the main energy source for the brain. In addition, they ate a balanced diet full of omega-3 fats, antioxidants and low glycemic carbohydrates like whole grains.
* To manage stress, participants performed daily relaxation exercises. Small notes that stress causes the body to release cortisol, a hormone that can impair memory and damage brain memory cells.
Brain function was tested before and after the 14-day study, using positron emission tomography (PET) scans to measure brain activity. Participants who followed the healthy longevity lifestyle plan demonstrated a five percent decrease in brain metabolism in the part of the brain directly linked to working memory called the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex.
"The finding suggests that for participants who had followed the healthy longevity program, the brain functioned more efficiently and didn't need to use as much glucose to perform effectively," Small said.
In addition, compared to the control group, participants also performed better in verbal fluency, a cognitive function controlled by the same brain region.
"The research demonstrates that in just 14 days, simple lifestyle changes can not only help overall health, but also improve memory and brain function," Small said. "Our next step is to assess the individual effects of each lifestyle strategy, which may help us develop an optimal combination.
The study was funded by the Fran and Ray Stark Foundation Fund for Alzheimer's Disease Research, the Judith Olenick Elgart Fund for Research on Brain Aging and the Parlow Solomon Professorship on Aging.
Study co-authors also were from UCLA and included Dr. Daniel Silverman, Prabha Siddarth, Linda Ercoli, Karen Miller, Dr. Helen Lavretsky, Dr. Benjamin Wright, Susan Bookheimer, Jorge Barrio and Michael Phelps.
The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, published monthly, is the official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry and can be found online at ajgponline.org
miércoles, mayo 31, 2006
Omega3 y crecimiento neuronal en el cortex frontal
"According to the Times, a study in Finland revealed that prisoners with a record of violent crimes tended to have low levels of omega-3 fatty acids. In a follow up study, symptoms of anger were cut in half when omega-3 supplements were given to subjects with a history of substance abuse.
The Finland team theorizes that omega-3s prompt neuron growth in the frontal cortex, the area of the brain that manages impulsive behavior."
life-enthusiast.com
The Finland team theorizes that omega-3s prompt neuron growth in the frontal cortex, the area of the brain that manages impulsive behavior."
life-enthusiast.com
lunes, mayo 29, 2006
Why sex matters for neuroscience : Nature Reviews Neuroscience
Why sex matters for neuroscience : Nature Reviews Neuroscience: "Nature Reviews Neuroscience 7, 477-484 (June 2006) | doi:10.1038/nrn1909
Why sex matters for neuroscience
Larry Cahill1 About the author
Top
of page
Abstract
A rapidly burgeoning literature documents copious sex influences on brain anatomy, chemistry and function. This article highlights some of the more intriguing recent discoveries and their implications. Consideration of the effects of sex can help to explain seemingly contradictory findings. Research into sex influences is mandatory to fully understand a host of brain disorders with sex differences in their incidence and/or nature. The striking quantity and diversity of sex-related influences on brain function indicate that the still widespread assumption that sex influences are negligible cannot be justified, and probably retards progress in our field."
Why sex matters for neuroscience
Larry Cahill1 About the author
Top
of page
Abstract
A rapidly burgeoning literature documents copious sex influences on brain anatomy, chemistry and function. This article highlights some of the more intriguing recent discoveries and their implications. Consideration of the effects of sex can help to explain seemingly contradictory findings. Research into sex influences is mandatory to fully understand a host of brain disorders with sex differences in their incidence and/or nature. The striking quantity and diversity of sex-related influences on brain function indicate that the still widespread assumption that sex influences are negligible cannot be justified, and probably retards progress in our field."
domingo, mayo 28, 2006
La importancia de las celulas gliales
Las neuronas no son las únicas células reguladoras de la comunicación cerebral, tal como se creía hasta ahora, ya que científicos europeos han descubierto que las células gliales, principales componentes del sistema nervioso central, intervienen también, aunque indirectamente, en los procesos de la memoria y del aprendizaje.
...
Las células gliales, sin embargo, son los principales componentes del sistema nervioso Las células gliales pueden ser de varias clases: astrocitos, oligodendroglia y microglia.
...
De este descubrimiento se desprende un nuevo concepto: la sinapsis tripartita, que añade un tercer elemento, la célula glial, a la comunicación entre neuronas. Los dos únicos elementos reconocidos hasta ahora en la representación sináptica son el elemento presináptico, que origina la información, y el elemento postsináptico, que recibe la información.
El tercer elemento es la célula glial, que interviene en el proceso de la memoria porque no sólo detecta e integra la señal sináptica, sino que además puede reaccionar liberando sustancias activas llamadas gliotransmisores, que estimulan directamente a la neurona postsináptica.
tendencias21.net
...
Las células gliales, sin embargo, son los principales componentes del sistema nervioso Las células gliales pueden ser de varias clases: astrocitos, oligodendroglia y microglia.
...
De este descubrimiento se desprende un nuevo concepto: la sinapsis tripartita, que añade un tercer elemento, la célula glial, a la comunicación entre neuronas. Los dos únicos elementos reconocidos hasta ahora en la representación sináptica son el elemento presináptico, que origina la información, y el elemento postsináptico, que recibe la información.
El tercer elemento es la célula glial, que interviene en el proceso de la memoria porque no sólo detecta e integra la señal sináptica, sino que además puede reaccionar liberando sustancias activas llamadas gliotransmisores, que estimulan directamente a la neurona postsináptica.
tendencias21.net
jueves, mayo 25, 2006
Nootropicos en otros idiomas
Gracias a Google trends: piracetam nos podemos dar cuenta de que la difusión de los nootrópicos no está en los países de habla inglesa o española:
Top regions (normalized)
1. Czech Republic
2. Romania
3. Indonesia
4. Philippines
5. Colombia
6. India
7. Brazil
8. Poland
9. Belgium
10. Taiwan
Por lo tanto buscar por piracetam site:cz o site:ro nos da interesantes resultados. Lo más interesante es que el rumano se entiende mucho y desafortunadamente el checo nada.
Palabras que usan para referirse en checo (por ejemplo en este foro) a los nootrópicos: nootropiky, nootropikách, chytré drogy. Para drogas: Cholin, Cholinem, Piracetam, piracetamu,
Habrá que empezar a buscar referencias en los lugares donde abundan (por ejemplo con Google.ro), que no parecen ser los nuestros.
Claro que por ciudades no es mucha sorpresa que san Francisco a pesar de todo esté tercera, la costa oeste siempre se hizo notar:
Top cities (normalized)
1. Prague Czech Republic
2. Bucharest Romania
3. San Francisco, CA USA
4. Houston, TX USA
5. Sao Paulo Brazil
6. Los Angeles, CA USA
7. Seattle, WA USA
8. Brussels Belgium
9. Taipei Taiwan
10. New York, NY USA
Los primeros puestos de estas estadísticas de búsqueda en Google son por mucha diferencia.
Top regions (normalized)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Por lo tanto buscar por piracetam site:cz o site:ro nos da interesantes resultados. Lo más interesante es que el rumano se entiende mucho y desafortunadamente el checo nada.
Palabras que usan para referirse en checo (por ejemplo en este foro) a los nootrópicos: nootropiky, nootropikách, chytré drogy. Para drogas: Cholin, Cholinem, Piracetam, piracetamu,
Habrá que empezar a buscar referencias en los lugares donde abundan (por ejemplo con Google.ro), que no parecen ser los nuestros.
Claro que por ciudades no es mucha sorpresa que san Francisco a pesar de todo esté tercera, la costa oeste siempre se hizo notar:
Top cities (normalized)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Los primeros puestos de estas estadísticas de búsqueda en Google son por mucha diferencia.
miércoles, mayo 24, 2006
Somniferos despiertan del coma
Sleeping pills offer wake-up call to vegetative patients
Michael Hopkin
Clinical researchers have discovered that they can rouse semi-comatose
patients by giving them, bizarrely, a common sleeping drug. If more
wide-ranging tests are successful, the drug could become the first
effective treatment for 'persistent vegetative state', the condition at the
centre of the US legal battle over sufferer Terri Schiavo last year.
British and South African doctors have reported the cases of three
semi-comatose patients who were revived for several hours at a time by
zolpidem, marketed to millions of insomniacs under the brand name Ambien.
The drug allows the semi-comatose patients to talk with friends and family
for several hours before the effect wears off, they report in the journal
NeuroRehabilitation1.
The patients, two of whom suffered severe head injuries in motor accidents
and a third who was left brain damaged by a near-drowning incident, have
been taking the pills every day for several years, with no severe side effects.
"The effect is amazing to say the least," says Ralf Clauss of the Royal
Surrey County Hospital in Guildford, UK, who discovered it along with his
colleague Wally Nel of the Family Practice in Pollack Park, Springs, South
Africa. "They can interact, make jokes and speak on the phone." One of them
even mastered catching a baseball.
Michael Hopkin
Clinical researchers have discovered that they can rouse semi-comatose
patients by giving them, bizarrely, a common sleeping drug. If more
wide-ranging tests are successful, the drug could become the first
effective treatment for 'persistent vegetative state', the condition at the
centre of the US legal battle over sufferer Terri Schiavo last year.
British and South African doctors have reported the cases of three
semi-comatose patients who were revived for several hours at a time by
zolpidem, marketed to millions of insomniacs under the brand name Ambien.
The drug allows the semi-comatose patients to talk with friends and family
for several hours before the effect wears off, they report in the journal
NeuroRehabilitation1.
The patients, two of whom suffered severe head injuries in motor accidents
and a third who was left brain damaged by a near-drowning incident, have
been taking the pills every day for several years, with no severe side effects.
"The effect is amazing to say the least," says Ralf Clauss of the Royal
Surrey County Hospital in Guildford, UK, who discovered it along with his
colleague Wally Nel of the Family Practice in Pollack Park, Springs, South
Africa. "They can interact, make jokes and speak on the phone." One of them
even mastered catching a baseball.
lunes, mayo 22, 2006
Animacion cerebro y efecto de drogas
Animación de cómo funciona el cerebro y lo afectan distintas drogas como cannabis, cocaína, tabaco, alcohol, éxtasis, speed.
Es en Flash y tarda en cargar, se puede seleccionar idioma Español.
ver animación cerebro y drogas
Es en Flash y tarda en cargar, se puede seleccionar idioma Español.
ver animación cerebro y drogas
domingo, mayo 21, 2006
Influencia paterna en el desarrollo profesional
Tendencias 21 - Art�culo TENDENCIAS SOCIALES - El padre es crucial para el desarrollo profesional de hijos e hijas - : "El �xito, el fracaso o la actitud que tengamos en nuestras carreras profesionales en la edad adulta depende del tipo de padre que hayamos tenido. Al menos, eso es lo que afirma el psic�logo estadounidense [Stephan Poulter](http://www.fatheryourson.com/about.html), un estudioso de las relaciones padre-hijo desde hace veinticinco a�os, que acaba de sacar un libro al respecto, titulado “[The father factor](http://www.fatheryourson.com/the-father-factor-book.html)”.
Seg�n Poulter, que tambi�n trabaja en Los Angeles con adolescentes en edad escolar, existen cinco tipos de padres: el super-triunfador, el bomba de relojer�a, el pasivo, el ausente y el mentor/clemente. Todos ellos influyen poderosamente en la vida laboral futura de sus hijos e hijas."
Seg�n Poulter, que tambi�n trabaja en Los Angeles con adolescentes en edad escolar, existen cinco tipos de padres: el super-triunfador, el bomba de relojer�a, el pasivo, el ausente y el mentor/clemente. Todos ellos influyen poderosamente en la vida laboral futura de sus hijos e hijas."
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