Do nerve cells really regenerate? Only Neurons Will Survive: How to Repair Nerve Cells Recovery Time for Nerve Cells

omg, recover yourself

H and throughout its 100-year history, neuroscience has adhered to the dogma that the adult brain is not subject to change. It was believed that a person can lose nerve cells, but not acquire new ones. Indeed, if the brain were capable of structural changes, how would it be preserved?

The skin, liver, heart, kidneys, lungs, and blood can make new cells to replace damaged ones. Until recently, experts believed that such an ability to regenerate does not extend to the central nervous system, consisting of the brain and.

However, over the past five years, neuroscientists have discovered that the brain does change throughout life: new cells are formed to cope with the difficulties that arise. This plasticity helps the brain recover from injury or disease, increasing its potential.

Neuroscientists have been looking for ways to improve brain health for decades. The treatment strategy was based on replenishing the lack of neurotransmitters - chemicals that transmit messages to nerve cells (neurons). In Parkinson's disease, for example, the patient's brain loses the ability to produce the neurotransmitter dopamine because the cells that produce it die. The chemical "relative" of dopamine, L-Dopa, can temporarily alleviate the condition of the patient, but not cure him. To replace neurons that die in neurological diseases such as Huntington's and Parkinson's and in trauma, neuroscientists are trying to implant stem cells derived from embryos. Recently, researchers have become interested in neurons derived from human embryonic stem cells, which, under certain conditions, can be made to form any type of human cell in Petri dishes.

While there are many benefits to stem cells, the ability of the adult nervous system to self-repair should obviously be nurtured. To do this, it is necessary to introduce substances that stimulate the brain to form its own cells and restore damaged nerve circuits.

Newborn nerve cells

In the 1960s - 70s. the researchers concluded that the central nervous system of mammals is capable of regeneration. The first experiments showed that the main branches of adult brain neurons and - axons can recover after damage. Soon, the birth of new neurons was discovered in the brains of adult birds, monkeys, and humans; neurogenesis.

The question arises: if the central nervous system can form new ones, is it able to recover in case of illness or injury? In order to answer it, it is necessary to understand how neurogenesis occurs in the adult brain and how it can be done.

The birth of new cells occurs gradually. So-called multipotent stem cells in the brain periodically begin to divide, giving rise to other stem cells that can grow into neurons or supporting cells called . But for maturation, newborn cells must avoid the influence of multipotent stem cells, which only half of them succeed - the rest die. This wastefulness is reminiscent of the process that occurs in the body before birth and in early childhood, when more nerve cells are produced than are needed to form a brain. Only those that form active bonds with others survive.

Whether the surviving young cell becomes a neuron or a glial cell depends on which part of the brain it ends up in and what processes will take place during this period. It takes more than a month for a new neuron to fully function. send and receive information. In this way. neurogenesis is not a one-time event. a process. which is regulated by substances. called growth factors. For example, a factor called "sonic hedgehog" (sonic hedgehog), discovered for the first time in insects, regulates the ability of immature neurons to proliferate. Factor notch and class of molecules. called bone morphogenetic proteins seem to determine whether a new cell becomes glial or neural. As soon as it happens. other growth factors. such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). neurotrophins and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) begin to support the vital activity of the cell, stimulating its maturation.

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New neurons do not arise in the adult brain of mammals by chance. apparently. are formed only in the fluid-filled voids in the forebrain - in the ventricles, as well as in the hippocampus - a structure hidden deep in the brain. shaped like a seahorse. Neuroscientists have proven that the cells that are destined to become neurons. move from the ventricles to the olfactory bulbs. which receive information from cells located in the nasal mucosa and sensitive to. No one knows exactly why the olfactory bulb needs so many new neurons. It's easier to guess why the hippocampus needs them: since this structure is important for remembering new information, extra neurons, probably. contribute to the strengthening of connections between nerve cells, increasing the brain's ability to process and store information.

Neurogenesis processes are also found outside the hippocampus and olfactory bulb, for example, in the prefrontal cortex, the seat of intelligence and logic. as well as in other areas of the adult brain and spinal cord. Recently, more and more details about the molecular mechanisms that control neurogenesis, and about the chemical stimuli that regulate it, have appeared. and we have a right to hope. that over time it will be possible to artificially stimulate neurogenesis in any part of the brain. Knowing how growth factors and the local microenvironment drive neurogenesis, researchers hope to develop therapies that can repair diseased or damaged brains.

By stimulating neurogenesis, it is possible to improve the patient's condition in some neurological diseases. For example. the reason is the blockage of the vessels of the brain, as a result of which neurons die due to a lack of oxygen. After a stroke, neurogenesis begins to develop in the hippocampus, seeking to “cure” damaged brain tissue with the help of new neurons. Most newborn cells die, but some successfully migrate to the damaged area and turn into full-fledged neurons. Despite the fact that this is not enough to compensate for damage in severe stroke. neurogenesis can help the brain after microstrokes, which often go unnoticed. Now neuroscientists are trying to use vasculo-epidermal growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) to enhance natural recovery.

Both substances are large molecules that hardly cross the blood-brain barrier, i.e. a network of closely intertwined cells lining the brain's blood vessels. In 1999, a biotech company Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories and Scios from California has suspended clinical trials of FGF used for . because its molecules did not enter the brain. Some researchers have tried to solve this problem by connecting the molecule FGF with the other, which misled the cell and forced it to capture the entire complex of molecules and transfer it to the brain tissue. Other scientists have genetically engineered cells that produce FGF. and transplanted into the brain. So far, such experiments have been carried out only on animals.

Stimulation of neurogenesis may be effective in the treatment of depression. the main cause of which (in addition to genetic predisposition) is considered to be chronic. limiting, as you know. the number of neurons in the hippocampus. Many of the manufactured drugs. shown in depression. including prozac. enhance neurogenesis in animals. Interestingly, it takes one month to relieve a depressive syndrome with the help of this drug - the same amount. how much and for the implementation of neurogenesis. Maybe. depression is partly caused by a slowdown in this process in the hippocampus. Recent clinical studies using imaging techniques of the nervous system have confirmed. that in patients with chronic depression, the hippocampus is smaller than in healthy people. Long-term use of antidepressants. it seems. spurs neurogenesis: in rodents. who were given these drugs for several months. New neurons were born in the hippocampus.

Neuronal stem cells give rise to new brain cells. They divide periodically in two main areas: in the ventricles (purple), which are filled with cerebrospinal fluid, which nourishes the central nervous system, and in the hippocampus (blue) - a structure necessary for learning and memory. With stem cell proliferation (at the bottom) new stem cells and progenitor cells are formed, which can turn into either neurons or support cells called glial cells (astrocytes and dendrocytes). However, the differentiation of newborn nerve cells can only occur after they have moved away from their ancestors. (red arrows), that, on average, only half of them succeed, and the rest perish. In the adult brain, new neurons have been found in the hippocampus and olfactory bulbs, which are essential for smelling. Scientists hope to force the adult brain to repair itself by causing neuronal stem or progenitor cells to divide and develop where and when needed.

Stem cells as a method of treatment

Researchers consider two types of stem cells to be a potential tool for repairing damaged brains. First, adult neuronal stem cells: rare primary cells preserved from early stages of embryonic development, found in at least two areas of the brain. They can divide throughout life, giving rise to new neurons and supporting cells called glia. The second type includes human embryonic stem cells, isolated from embryos at a very early stage of development, when the entire embryo consists of about a hundred cells. These embryonic stem cells can give rise to any cell in the body.

Most studies monitor the growth of neuronal stem cells in culture dishes. They can divide there, be genetically tagged, and then transplanted back into the adult nervous system. In experiments that have so far been carried out only on animals, cells take root well and can differentiate into mature neurons in two areas of the brain where the formation of new neurons occurs normally - in the hippocampus and in the olfactory bulbs. However, in other areas, neural stem cells taken from the adult brain are slow to become neurons, although they can become glia.

The problem with adult neural stem cells is that they are still immature. If the adult brain into which they are transplanted does not generate the signals necessary to stimulate their development into a certain type of neuron - such as a hippocampal neuron - they will either die, become a glial cell, or remain an undifferentiated stem cell. To resolve this issue, it is necessary to determine what biochemical signals cause a neuronal stem cell to become a neuron of this type, and then direct the development of the cell along this path directly in the culture dish. It is expected that after transplantation into a given region of the brain, these cells will remain neurons of the same type, form connections and begin to function.

Making important connections

Since it takes about a month from the moment of division of a neuronal stem cell until its descendant is included in the functional circuits of the brain, the role of these new neurons in neurons is probably determined not so much by the cell's lineage, but by how new and existing cells connect with each other. another (forming synapses) and with existing neurons, forming nerve circuits. In the process of synaptogenesis, the so-called spines on the lateral processes, or dendrites, of one neuron are connected to the main branch, or axon, of another neuron.

Recent studies show that dendritic spines (at the bottom) can change their shape within a few minutes. This suggests that synaptogenesis may underlie learning and memory. Single color micrographs of the brain of a live mouse (red, yellow, green and blue) were taken one day apart. The multi-color image (far right) is the same photos superimposed on top of each other. Unaltered areas appear almost white.

Help the brain

Another disease that provokes neurogenesis is Alzheimer's disease. As shown by recent studies, in the organs of the mouse. which were introduced the genes of a person affected by Alzheimer's disease. various deviations of neurogenesis from the norm were found. As a result of this intervention, the animal overproduces a mutant form of the human amyloid peptide precursor, and the level of neurons in the hippocampus drops. And the hippocampus of mice with a mutant human gene. encoding the protein presenilin. had a small number of dividing cells and. respectively. fewer surviving neurons. Introduction FGF directly into the brains of animals weakened the tendency; Consequently. Growth factors can be a good treatment for this devastating disease.

The next stage of research is growth factors that control various stages of neurogenesis (ie, the birth of new cells, migration and maturation of young cells), as well as factors that inhibit each stage. For the treatment of diseases such as depression, in which the number of dividing cells decreases, it is necessary to find pharmacological substances or other methods of influence. enhancing cell proliferation. With epilepsy, apparently. new cells are born. but then they migrate in the wrong direction and need to be understood. how to direct "misguided" neurons in the right direction. In malignant brain glioma, glial cells proliferate and form deadly, growing tumors. Although the causes of glioma are not yet clear. some believe. that it results from the uncontrolled growth of brain stem cells. Glioma can be treated with natural compounds. regulating the division of such stem cells.

For the treatment of a stroke, it is important to find out. what growth factors ensure the survival of neurons and stimulate the transformation of immature cells into healthy neurons. With such diseases. like Huntington's disease. amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); and Parkinson's disease (when very specific cell types die, leading to the development of specific cognitive or motor symptoms). this process occurs most often, since the cells. with which these diseases are associated are located in limited areas.

The question arises: how to control the process of neurogenesis under this or that type of influence in order to control the number of neurons, since their excess is also dangerous? For example, in some forms of epilepsy, neural stem cells continue to divide even after new neurons have lost the ability to make useful connections. Neuroscientists suggest that the "wrong" cells remain immature and end up in the wrong place. forming the so-called. ficial cortical dysplasia (FCD), generating epileptiform discharges and causing epileptic seizures. It is possible that the introduction of growth factors in stroke. Parkinson's disease and other diseases can cause neural stem cells to divide too quickly and lead to similar symptoms. Therefore, researchers should first explore the application of growth factors to induce the birth, migration, and maturation of neurons.

In the treatment of spinal cord injury, ALS or stem cells must be forced to produce oligodendrocytes, a type of glial cell. They are necessary for the communication of neurons with each other. because they isolate long axons passing from one neuron to another. preventing scattering of the electrical signal passing through the axon. It is known that stem cells in the spinal cord have the ability to produce oligodendrocytes from time to time. Researchers have used growth factors to stimulate this process in animals with spinal cord injury and have seen positive results.

Charging for the brain

One of the important features of neurogenesis in the hippocampus is that a personal individual can influence the rate of cell division, the number of surviving young neurons, and their ability to integrate into the nervous network. For example. when adult mice are moved from ordinary and cramped cages to more comfortable and spacious ones. they have a significant increase in neurogenesis. The researchers found that exercising mice on a running wheel was enough to double the number of dividing cells in the hippocampus, leading to a dramatic increase in the number of new neurons. Interestingly, regular exercise can relieve depression in people. Maybe. this is due to the activation of neurogenesis.

If scientists learn to control neurogenesis, then our understanding of brain diseases and injuries will change dramatically. For treatment, it will be possible to use substances that selectively stimulate certain stages of neurogenesis. The pharmacological effect will be combined with physiotherapy, which enhances neurogenesis and stimulates certain areas of the brain to incorporate new cells into them. Taking into account the relationship between neurogenesis and mental and physical stress will reduce the risk of neurological diseases and enhance natural reparative processes in the brain.

By stimulating the growth of neurons in the brain, healthy people will be able to improve the condition of their body. However, they are unlikely to like injections of growth factors that hardly penetrate the blood-brain barrier after injection into the bloodstream. Therefore, experts are looking for drugs. which could be produced in the form of tablets. Such a drug will stimulate the work of genes encoding growth factors directly in the human brain.

It is also possible to improve brain activity through gene therapy and cell transplantation: artificially grown cells that produce specific growth factors. can be implanted in certain areas of the human brain. It is also proposed to introduce genes encoding the production of various growth factors and viruses into the human body. capable of delivering these genes to the desired brain cells.

It's not clear yet. which of the methods will be the most promising. Animal studies show. that the use of growth factors can disrupt the normal functioning of the brain. Growth processes can cause the formation of tumors, and transplanted cells can get out of control and provoke the development of cancer. Such a risk can only be justified in severe forms of Huntington's disease. Alzheimer's or Parkinson's.

The best way to stimulate brain activity is intensive intellectual activity combined with a healthy lifestyle: physical activity. good food and good rest. It is also experimentally confirmed. that the connections in the brain are influenced by the environment. Maybe. someday in homes and offices, people will create and maintain a specially enriched environment to improve brain function.

If it is possible to understand the mechanisms of self-healing of the nervous system, then in the near future, researchers will master the methods. allowing you to use your own brain resources for its restoration and improvement.

Fred Gage

(In the world of spiders, No. 12, 2003)

There is a myth that. This is usually explained by the weakening of cognitive function in older people. However, recent studies of nerve cell repair have debunked established beliefs.

Nature initially laid such a number of nerve cells that the human brain could function normally for a certain number of years. During the formation of the embryo, a huge number of brain neurons are formed, which die even before the birth of the child.

When a cell dies for any reason, its function is shared among other active neurons, which makes it possible not to interrupt the work of the brain.

An example is the changes that occur in the brain in a number of senile diseases, for example, in Parkinson's disease. Clinical manifestations of the pathology are not noticeable until the degradation damages more than 90% of brain neurons. This is explained by the fact that neurons are able to take on the function of dead "comrades" and, thus, to the last to maintain the normal functioning of the human brain and nervous system.

Why nerve cells die

It is known that starting from the age of 30, the process of death of brain neurons is activated. This is due to the wear and tear of nerve cells, which experience a tremendous load throughout a person’s life.

It has been proven that the number of neural connections in the brain of an elderly healthy person is about 15% lower than in a young person at the age of 20 years.

The aging of brain tissue is a natural process that cannot be avoided. The assertion that nerve cells cannot be restored is based on the fact that they simply do not need to be restored. Initially, nature laid a supply of neurons sufficient for normal functioning throughout a human life. In addition, neurons are able to take on the functions of dead cells, so the brain does not suffer even if a significant part of the neurons die.

Recovery of brain neurons

Every day, a certain number of new neural connections are formed in the brain of each person. However, due to the fact that a large number of cells die every day, there are significantly fewer new connections than dead ones.

The neural connections of the brain in a healthy person are not restored, because the body simply does not need it. Nerve cells that die with age transfer their function to another neuron and human life continues without any changes.

If for some reason there was a mass death of neurons, and the number of lost connections many times exceeds the daily norm, and the remaining “survivors” cannot cope with their functions, the process of active regeneration starts.

Thus, it was proved that in the event of mass death of neurons, a small amount can be transplanted, which will not only not be rejected by the body, but will also lead to the rapid emergence of a large number of new neural connections.

Clinical confirmation of the theory

American T. Wallis was badly injured in a car accident, as a result of which he fell into a coma. Due to the patient's completely vegetative state, the doctors insisted on disconnecting Wallis from the machines, but his family refused. The man spent almost two decades in a coma, after which he suddenly opened his eyes and returned to consciousness. To the surprise of the doctors, his brain restored the lost neural connections.

Surprisingly, after the coma, the patient formed new connections, different from those that were before the incident. Thus, we can conclude that the human brain independently chooses the ways of regeneration.

Today, a man can talk and even joke, but his body will take a long time to restore motor activity due to the fact that over two decades of coma, the muscles have completely atrophied.

What accelerates the death of neurons

Nerve cells die every day in response to any factor that irritates the nervous system. In addition to injuries or illnesses, emotions and nervous tension act as such a factor.

Cell death has been shown to increase significantly in response to stress. In addition, stress significantly slows down the natural process of restoration of the connective tissue of the brain.

How to restore brain neurons

So, how to restore nerve cells? There are several conditions, the fulfillment of which will help to avoid the mass death of neurons:

• balanced diet;
• goodwill towards others;
• lack of stress;
• sustainable moral and ethical standards and worldview.

All this makes a person's life strong and stable, and therefore prevents situations in response to which nerve cells are lost.

It should be remembered that the most effective drugs for restoring the nervous system are the absence of stress and good sleep. This is achieved by a special attitude and attitude to life, which each person must work on.

Remedies for restoring nerves

You can restore nerve cells with simple folk methods used to relieve stress. These are all kinds of natural decoctions of medicinal herbs that improve the quality of sleep.

In addition, there is a drug that has a positive effect on the health of the nervous system, but its appointment should be consulted with a doctor. This medicine belongs to the group of nootropics - drugs that improve blood circulation and brain metabolism. One such drug is Noopept.

Another “magic” pill for the health of the nervous system is B vitamins. It is these vitamins that take part in the formation of the nervous system, which means they stimulate the renewal of nerve cells. It is not for nothing that vitamins of this group are prescribed for a number of neurological disorders provoked by damage to various nerves.

The hormone of happiness will help restore nerve cells, which also stimulates the process of cell renewal.

A balanced diet, regular walks in the fresh air, moderate physical activity and healthy sleep will help to avoid brain problems in old age. It should be remembered that the health of one's own nervous system is in the hands of every person, therefore, by reconsidering the lifestyle in youth, one can avoid the development of various senile pathologies, and then one does not have to look for a remedy that can restore nerve cells.

The current time is referred to as the age of brain research. One of the most interesting topics in the field of scientific research on this organ has been the ability of the brain to change its structural and functional properties in response to human experience throughout life. For most of history, neuroscientists have assumed that the basic brain structure is predetermined before birth, and the only changes that can occur in it are degenerative, the result of disease, injury (concussion, TBI). Modern scientists have directed research towards brain restoration. What conclusions did they come to? Is the brain recovering or not?

Research results

Two major discoveries were made by scientists involved in neural networks and human brain research. A study published in Cell Stem Cell reports that Japanese doctors have begun cultivating the human brain. The journal Science presented a material on how chemical destruction was prevented by stimulating the regeneration (update) of the brain and spinal neural network.

- This is a structural unit of nervous tissue, under a microscope, resembling a body with tentacles. The task of a neuron is to receive and process information.

The Japanese proceeded from brain cells, which were multiplied tenfold by appropriate cultivation and enriched in accordance with the structure of the brain of a human embryo. It was also found that in the resulting particles of the medulla, the size of which is 1-2 mm, nervous activity spontaneously arises, measured in electromagnetic impulses. Scientists from the city of Kobe believe that in the future it will be possible to create brain tissue structures that can be implanted in place of parts damaged by disease (ischemic stroke, multiple sclerosis, etc.) or trauma.

Brain neurons are not capable of regenerating like their counterparts in the nerve endings. Another way to save damaged parts of the brain or spinal cord (injuries often lead to serious consequences, including paralysis, coma) is to activate the possibility of regeneration in both major organs of the nervous system. In experiments on mice, a team led by Dr. Che Kyan at Harvard Medical School in Boston was able to answer the question of whether brain cells regenerate by influencing the process chemically. In mice, scientists have genetically engineered the release of mTOR, a substance that responds to neuronal regeneration. It is present in a newborn, but is destroyed in an adult, especially after injuries. Thanks to this process, scientists were able to restore almost half of the damaged optic nerve in a short time (2 weeks). Even the formation of new axons has been recorded.

Che Qian summed up: “We knew that after the end of development, the networks stop growing due to genetic mechanisms. We believe that one of these mechanisms can also restore regeneration, stop death after injuries.”

Advances in emergency medicine have ensured more survivors of brain-damaged patients. Today it is known that the brain of an adult is able to rebuild its functional connections, creating new ones, and changing physiological parameters. This phenomenon is called neuroplasticity, it has become the basis of the method of treating diseases of various origins.

Fewer cells die and more form in autistic people. We can say that autism, paradoxically, is a disorder that has a beneficial effect on the brain.

The hippocampus and brain recovery

According to the latest data, the human brain contains about 85 billion nerve cells (neurons). It is known that during life there is a gradual loss of these cells (they begin to die around the age of 30).

One of the first studies to generate interest in brain plasticity among lay people was by Eleanor Maguire of University College London. She found that London taxi drivers have a much more developed hippocampus than bus drivers. The hippocampus is the brain part responsible, among other things, for the perception of space. Given the fact that taxi drivers have to remember many street names, their locations and connections, it has been suggested that this change is due to spatial orientation training that bus drivers lack.

The problem with this study is that it does not distinguish between congenital and acquired function. In this context, studies of violinists have provided interesting results, showing that these musicians have a much larger surface area of ​​the motor (motor) cortex related to the fingers of the left hand. This corresponds to the fact that when playing the violin, each finger of the left hand must make an independent movement. At the same time, on the right hand, all fingers work together. Against the objection of the possibility of a genetic predisposition is the fact that the difference between the organization of the left and right hemispheres is directly proportional to the age when the musicians began to play the violin.

Reorganization of the cerebral cortex has also been observed in people with congenital visual or auditory defects. According to the “use it or loose it” principle, another function can use the unused cerebral cortex. Areas originally intended for processing visual or auditory stimuli are stripped of them, and their space is used for other functions, such as tactile. Reorganization is the result of the growth of long processes of neurons, axons. After a head injury with brain damage, neural connections can be repaired or replaced with new connections that compensate for the lost function in another part of the brain.

One of the greatest surprises of recent times is the discovery that the adult brain can, in some areas, create completely new neurons from stem cells, a process influenced by human experience.

neurogenesis

Information not known to the general public is that the brain creates new cells throughout life. This phenomenon is called neurogenesis.

The human brain consists of many parts (but cellular renewal does not occur in all). Neurogenesis is observed in the place responsible for olfactory sensations, and in the hippocampus, which plays an important role as a memory.

The experts also found that damaged brains also produce new cells. Evidence of higher neurogenesis during illness was presented by the New Zealand University of Auckland, who studied people with Huntington's disease, in which a person's mental abilities decrease, uncoordinated movements appear. The creation of new neurons was most intense in the most affected tissues. Unfortunately, this is not enough to suppress the disease. Identifying the conditions under which this process occurs and stimulating it could lead to the treatment of Huntington's or Parkinson's disease by transplanting stem cells into the affected areas of the brain.

In studying the neuroplasticity of the brain, medical science is taking its first steps. The next step is an accurate description of the conditions under which its changes occur, the definition of a specific impact on individual functions in a person's life. To understand and use knowledge of neuroplasticity, it is also necessary to analyze the genes associated with the growth of axons or neurons from stem cells.

The Importance of Neurogenesis

According to recent estimates, about 700 new brain cells are produced daily in the hippocampus. At first glance, this number does not seem large, but the creation of each new neuron is very important, especially for the psychological state of a person. If there is a cessation of the formation of new cells, psychosis begins to manifest. The restoration of brain neurons is relevant for learning, memory, intelligence (study of certain places, orientation in space, quality of memories).

Recent scientific studies have shown that you can improve the production of new brain cells on your own, i.e. at home. What activities have a positive effect on the formation of neurons?

Neuron production increases:

• education;
• sex;
• training of cognitive functions;
• mnemonics;
• physical activity (significant help);
• nutrition (regular meals, longer pauses between meals)
• vitamin P (flavonoids);
• omega-3 (also a good antidepressant).

Neuron production reduces:

• stress;
• depression;
• lack of sleep;
• a diet rich in saturated fats;
• anesthesia used during the operation;
• alcohol;
• drugs (especially amphetamines);
• smoking;
• age (neurogenesis continues with age, but slows down).

Neurons can die in a number of diseases:

• epilepsy - cell death occurs during an attack;
• cervical osteochondrosis - neurons die due to circulatory disorders;
• hydrocephalus;
• encephalopathy;
• multiple sclerosis;
• Parkinson's disease - a disease characterized by a disorder of the mobility of the legs, arms, cerebellar signs (due to damage to the amygdala);
• - a disease leading to dementia, a disorder of speech functions (due to damage to speech receptors).

Neurons may temporarily stop updating when taking certain cancer medications. Therefore, after the treatment of oncology with pharmaceuticals, people suffer from depression. After the restoration of neurogenesis, depression disappears.

It is safe to say that the formation of new brain cells in healthy people occurs naturally. However, the process will accelerate or slow down, largely depends on the person himself.

What supports the creation of new neurons?

In addition to the possibility of self-renewal, the brain is constantly changing, adapting to the external environment, optimizing its activity in accordance with human living conditions. In case of injury, severe intoxication with poisons, medicines, microstroke, circulatory disorders occur (blood flow to the brain decreases), hypoxia (oxygen starvation) develops, functions can be transferred from the affected areas to intact segments, from one hemisphere to another. So a person is able to learn new things, create new habits at any age.

The brain is affected by everyday life, ways of doing things, constant habits. For the maximum manifestation of his wonderful abilities, activity is necessary, stimulation of brain activity in all possible ways.

electrical stimulation

Targeted electrical stimulation supports the cooperation of neurons in a specific center. It is a non-invasive, non-drug therapy performed by conducting a low current through electrodes placed on the head. Electrical stimulation is able to restore brain activity and restore neurons, selectively activating protective mechanisms in the brain, causing an increased release of endorphins and serotonin.

Physical activity

Physical activity and the process of neurogenesis are closely related. With an increase in heart rate and blood flow through the vessels during physical exertion, the levels of factors that stimulate neurogenesis increase. Physical activity also leaches endorphins, reducing stress hormones (especially cortisol). At the same time, testosterone levels rise, which also promotes neurogenesis.

To prevent the negative effects of aging on both the body and the brain, physical activity is an excellent choice. It combines both of these goals. It is not necessary to lift dumbbells or do exercises in a fitness center. Enough regular vigorous walking, swimming, dancing, cycling. These actions strengthen weakened muscles, improve blood circulation, mental abilities.

Any action aimed at reducing tension, stress, promotes neurogenesis. Choose an activity that suits your preferences.

Freshness of mind

There are many ways to regenerate neurons while keeping a fresh, sharp mind. Various actions can help with this:

• reading - read every day; reading makes you think, seek connections, supports the imagination, arouses interest in everything, including other possible types of mental activity;
• learning or developing knowledge of a foreign language;
• playing a musical instrument, listening to music, singing;
• critical perception of reality, study and search for truth;
• openness to everything new, sensitivity to the environment, communication with people, travel, discovery of nature and the world, new interests and hobbies.

An underestimated and at the same time effective method of supporting brain activity is hand writing. It supports memory, develops imagination, activates the brain centers, coordinating the movement of the muscles involved in the writing process (up to 500). Another advantage of hand writing is the preservation of elasticity, mobility of the joints, muscles of the hand, coordination of fine motor skills.

Food

In connection with the topic under consideration, it must be said that the human brain is 70% fat. Fat is part of every cell in the body, incl. brain tissue, where in the form of myelin is the insulation surrounding the nerve endings. Brain cells create it from sugar, i.e. do not wait for the intake of fat from food. But it is important to eat healthy fats that do not contribute to the onset and development of inflammation. The main health benefits are omega-3 fats.

Many people, hearing the word "fat", involuntarily shudder. In an attempt to maintain a slim waist, they buy fat-free products. These foods are unhealthy, often even harmful, because the fat is replaced by sugar or other ingredients.

Eliminating fat from the diet is a mistake. Its limitation must be strictly selective. The hydrogenated fats found in margarines, industrially processed foods, are harmful to the body. Unsaturated fatty acids, on the other hand, are beneficial. Without fat, the body is unable to absorb vitamins A, D, E, K. They are soluble only in fat, which are of great importance for brain activity. But you also need saturated fats from animal sources (eggs, butter, cheese).

Low-calorie nutrition is good, but it should be varied, balanced. It is known that the brain consumes a lot of energy. Provide it in the morning. Oatmeal with yogurt and a spoonful of honey is the perfect breakfast option.

How to restore the brain with the help of products and folk remedies:

• Turmeric. Curcumin affects neurogenesis, increases the manifestation of the neuropathic factor, which is necessary for a number of neurological functions.
• Blueberry. The flavonoids contained in blueberries stimulate the growth of new neurons, improve the cognitive functions of the brain.
• Green tea. This drink contains EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which promotes the growth of new brain neurons.
• Brahmi. Clinical studies studying the effect on brain function of the brahmi plant (bacopa monnieri) showed that after 12 weeks of use, verbal learning, memory, and the speed of processing the information received were significantly improved in volunteers.

• Sun. Healthy exposure to sunlight on the body - 10-15 minutes a day. This contributes to the formation of vitamin D, affects the secretion of serotonin, the growth of brain factors that directly affect neurogenesis.
• Dream. Its abundance or deficiency significantly affects the activity of the brain. Lack of sleep causes inhibition of neurogenesis in the hippocampus, disrupts the balance of hormones, and reduces the degree of mental activity.
• Sex. Sexual activity increases the secretion of happiness hormones, endorphins, reduces anxiety, tension, stress, promotes neurogenesis.

The positive effects of meditation on the human brain and overall health are scientifically documented. It has been repeatedly proven that regular meditation leads to the growth of gray matter in several areas of the brain, including the hippocampus.

• Meditation stimulates the development of certain cognitive abilities, especially attention, memory, concentration.
• Meditation improves understanding of reality, focusing on the present, and prevents the mind from being burdened by fears of the past or future.
• During meditation, the brain works in a different rhythm. In the first phases, increased activity occurs, which is manifested by a higher amplitude of α-waves. In the process of meditation (during the following phases), δ-waves arise, associated with the regeneration of the body, rehabilitation after illnesses.
• Meditation done in the evening stimulates the brain by increasing melatonin production, which is part of the neurogenesis process. The body relaxes.

Monoatomic gold

Ormus, monoatomic (monatomic) gold is often associated with increased intelligence, overall brain health. David Hudson, who discovered the ormus and began its analysis, said that the substance is able to restore the body at the genetic level. Ormus professionals also claim that monoatomic gold can correct DNA errors and even activate dormant DNA.

What not to do?

Mental health (according to experts) is more important than physical condition itself. So, how to support brain function? First of all, you need to know what harms him.

Contaminated air

The brain consumes a significant amount of oxygen, which is necessary for its proper functioning. But modern man is constantly exposed to polluted air (vehicle exhausts, dust from industrial production). People from larger cities have frequent headaches, short-term memory disorders. Longer inhalation of polluted air causes permanent changes in the brain.

Alcohol and cigarettes

In addition to causing cancer, heart disease and a range of other health problems, new research shows that alcohol and nicotine can impair brain function.

Unlike alcohol, nicotine compounds do not directly damage brain cells, but lead to other neurological disorders, incl. to multiple sclerosis. Long-term alcohol consumption, long binges, except for "delirious tremens" cause a chemical imbalance leading to structural disorders. It has been shown that the volume of the skull decreases in alcoholics.

Lack of sleep

The body, including the brain, recovers as much as possible during sleep. Prolonged lack of sleep can wreak havoc on a critical organ. The body does not have time to create new neurons, and the old ones lose their ability to interact with nerve cells. For insomnia caused by overexertion, it is better to take a sleeping pill.

Relaxation for neurons

There are several points on the head that stimulate the overstressed nervous system. Place the fingers of both hands just above the ears, gently massage the skin, applying light pressure. Do the same on the top of the head. Finally, massage your temples and chewing muscles on your cheeks.

Don't close your head

And one interesting thing. The fact that the brain needs enough oxygen is explained above. But did you know that children can have problems with this? They like to hide under the covers, often falling asleep like that. During sleep, the amount of exhaled carbon dioxide increases. This reduces the level of oxygen, which interferes with the proper functioning of the brain.

This also applies to adults. Make sure you have enough fresh air while you sleep.

Change your brain

The conclusions of scientists are significant for everyone. Research shows that people of all ages can learn new things and form new habits. What we learn in life, who we surround ourselves with, what and how we decide to do, how we think, determines who we are, what vision of the world we have. The more a person is open to new stimuli and knowledge, the more he develops his brain.

The nervous system consists of nerve cells connected in a network. Motor activity, thinking and physiology are completely subordinate to the signals that are transmitted through the branches of the nervous system. All cells have a common name - neurons - and differ only in their functional purpose in the human body.

Why neurons don't regenerate

Physiological scientists are still debating whether it is possible to restore nerve cells. There was a controversy due to the fact that scientists discovered the inability of the neuron to reproduce. Since all cells multiply by dividing, they are able to create new tissues in organs.

But neurons, according to a large group of biologists, are given to a person once and for life, though with a “large margin”. Over the years, they gradually die off, and important brain functions may be lost for this reason.

Neuronal death is caused by stress, illness, and injury. Alcoholism and smoking also destroy nerve cells, depriving a person of a long and fruitful life. The inability of the remaining neurons to multiply by division led to the emergence of the popular expression.

Alternative point of view

In the last 10 years, biologists have been actively studying the brain. Scientists face many tasks, they conduct scientific experiments and put forward new hypotheses.

A group of physiologists do not agree with the opinion established by the majority of conservatives. And in the press every now and then there are reports that the myth about the impossibility of restoring nervous tissue has been dispelled.

In one of the laboratory experiments with damaged areas of the brain, it was possible to restore some of the neurons. They came from stem cells of nervous tissue stored in stocks.

The process of formation of new neurons has been called neurogenesis. Only young adult animals are capable of it. Subsequently, such zones were found in humans. Only some areas of the brain are subject to restoration, for example, the departments responsible for memory and learning.

The abilities of the brain can be developed and maintained in an active state for a long time. This is facilitated by the assimilation of intellectual knowledge and physical activity. A healthy lifestyle also gives a person the opportunity to meet old age with a sound mind and a clear memory.

Severe stress should, on the contrary, be avoided. Kindness and calmness are a proven recipe for an active and long life. The future will show whether the brain can recover completely and whether it is realistic to extend human life for decades thanks to neurogenesis.