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Canary Courtship The Story of Neurogenesis. with Susan Wehry, M.D. . Images of Aging. Images of Aging. STOP AGING NOW!. AGE WELL NOW. The brain can’t make new cells, RIGHT?. WRONG. What’s new about being old?. Neuronal plasticity Variability Modifiability. Genesis…Neuro style.
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Canary CourtshipThe Story of Neurogenesis with Susan Wehry, M.D.
Images of Aging STOP AGING NOW! AGE WELL NOW
What’s new about being old? • Neuronal plasticity • Variability • Modifiability
The Songbird Story • Fernando Nottenbohm • 1980’s, Rockefeller University • Song center spring • Hippocampus fall
The Songbird Skeptics • Restricted throughout evolution • New neurons would disrupt • No primate neurogenesis
The Primate Story • Elizabeth Gould • Bruce McEwen • Hippocampus • Tree shrew • Marmoset • Rhesus monkey • Neocortex
The Human Story • Fred Gage • Cancer patients • Neurogenesis • human hippocampus
Do they work? • Enriched environments • heavier brains • synapses • branching • learning Even in very old mice
Neurogenesis • Stimulated by • Enriched environments • toys and friends • Participation in learning • Physical exercise
Neurogenesis • Inhibited by • Isolation • Stress
The Aging Brain • Knowledge in transition • Tremendous variation • Within the brain • Between individuals
Components Dendrites Cell body Synapse Axon
Neurons 100,000,000,000 ONE HUNDRED BILLION
Synapses 10,000s /neuron 104 X 1011 = 1,000,000,000,000,000
ONE Quadrillion
And we lose maybe 10,000/day
The Brain responds • Neurogenesis • Synapses reorganize • Dendrites sprouting
The Human Hippocampus • Main relay station • New memory • Long term storage • Discard
The Human Hippocampus • London Taxi Drivers • Enlarged • Right activated routes • Dementia, Alzheimer’s type • Smaller volume
The Aging Brain • Decrease in brain weight • Plasticity > Neurons • Function • Less efficient • Slower rate • No change in total learning • Modifiable
Successful Aging • MacArthur Foundation • Genetic factors < 50% • Education strongest predictor • Health • Physical/mental • Optimism/Self-efficacy • Social support
Barriers to successful aging As we age, our expectations change: • we demand less and less of our brains • we link our absentmindedness to age • we accept ageist stereotypes
Remove the Barriers • Alter expectations • Develop a strategy
Take Stock • Illness inventory • Health inventory • Stress inventory
Change Behavior • Make a pledge • Identify goal • Visualize undertaking
Change Behavior • Plan for success • Set up a routine • Engage a partner • Get started
EXERCISE BODY BRAIN
PRACTICE Remembering Thinking Problem-solving
Strategies • Maintain health • Physical • Mental • Stay connected • Active life style • Nutrition • Enrich environment
You heard it here! • Use it or lose it “That which is used develops, that which is not used, wastes away” (Hippocrates 460-337 B.C.)
You heard it here! • Story of neurogenesis • Knowledge • aging human brain • successful aging • Strategies
You heard it here! • Alter expectation • Remember mama • Stay connected
To learn more or just to stay in touch Please visit my website www.susanwehrymd.com