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Bali Secret Grows New Brain Cells

The AHA! Team — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 06:32:15 +0000

Al Sears, MD, CNS – When I was in Bali, I learned that elephants – which are well known for their long and impressive memories – go to great lengths to seek out gotu kola leaves. It’s one of their favorite foods. Could this plant be the reason why elephants never forget? Who knows? What we do know is that research proves gotu kola can enhance your brain power. Let me explain… For decades, scientists believed that the adult human brain couldn’t grow new brain cells. They thought we were born with all the brain cells we’ll ever have – and that when they were gone, they were gone for good. They thought we were born with all the brain cells we’ll ever have However, a breakthrough study by researchers at Princeton University proved the opposite. That study, published in the prestigious Journal of Science, revealed the continuous growth of new brain cells in adult macaque monkeys. Then, a follow-up study published in the journal Cell found that humans also produce new neurons. And that – even in old age – your brain still produces around 700 new neurons a day.[i] In other words, despite what “medical experts” may tell you, your memory and cognitive performance don’t have to decline. In fact, they can actually improve as you age. And one of the best ways to boost your brain performance is with gotu kola, or Centella asiatica. Research shows it can revitalize your brain and nervous system and help you feel sharp and alert as it recharges your memory. Research shows it can revitalize your brain and nervous system In a number of studies, gotu kola enhanced memory performance, problem-solving abilities, intelligence, and mental energy.[ii] A landmark study published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology found that gotu kola stimulates the growth of brain cells…[iii] While additional studies proved that gotu kola: [iv],[v],[vi],[vii] Improves cognitive function – even in cognitively impaired older adults Doubles how quickly and accurately you process information Increases problem-solving skills up to 45% Improves reading skills up to 29% Significantly boosts your attention span Increases concentration Further studies also give us lots of evidence that gotu kola is a powerful antioxidant and brain protector, as well as a nerve growth factor. Studies show it may also help stop plaque formation in Alzheimer’s disease and prevent dopamine neurotoxicity in Parkinson’s.[viii],[ix] I’ve recommended gotu kola for years as a way to treat stroke victims suffering from stroke-related dementia. A recent study backs up what I learned from traditional healers… According to this study from Indonesia, where gotu kola is used commonly in both traditional and mainstream medicine, concluded that therapy with an extract of the herb at 750 mg per day for six weeks was “effective in improving cognitive impairment after stroke.” The extract is called TTFCA, which stands for triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica. This contains gotu kola’s most potent components. And it has shown special strength in improving memory.[x] Other studies have shown gotu kola is highly effective at preventing strokes in the first place – by promoting healthy veins and combatting high blood pressure. TTFCA improves the dilatation of blood vessels, which decreases blood pressure and improves blood flow throughout your body – from the largest veins to the tiniest of capillaries.[xi] When choosing a gotu kola supplement, look for one with more of the active components. Choose one that is standardized to the asiaticosides or asiatic acid. 3 Ways You Can Improve Your Memory with Gotu Kola I recommend my patients use gotu kola in three ways. As an extract. Take 10 to 20 ml per day. As a supplement. When choosing a gotu kola supplement, look for one with more of the active components. Select one that is standardized to the asiaticosides or asiatic acid. I recommend taking 300 mg a day. As a dried herb. One of my favorite ways to use gotu kola is by making a cup of tea. Here’s how: Measure 1 to 2 teaspoons (about 6 to 8 grams) of dried gotu kola into a cup. Cover with boiling water and allow to steep for 15 minutes. Strain, then sweeten with organic honey. Enjoy three cups a day. [i] Spalding K, et al. “Dynamics of hippocampal neurogenesis in adult humans.” Cell. 2013 Jun 6; 153(6):1219–1227. [ii] Prakash A, Kumar A. “Mitoprotective effect of Centella asiatica against aluminum-induced neurotoxicity in rats: possible relevance to its anti-oxidant and anti-apoptosis mechanism.” Neurol Sci. 2013 Aug;34(8):1403-9. [iii] Soumyanath A, et al. “Centella asiatica accelerates nerve regeneration upon oral administration and contains multiple active fractions increasing neurite elongation in-vitro.” J Pharmacy Pharmacol. 2005;57(9):1221–1229. [iv] Shinomol GK, et al. “Exploring the role of ‘Brahmi’ (Bacopa monnieri and Centella asiatica) in brain function and therapy.” Recent Pat Endocr Metab Immune Drug Discov. 2011;5(1):51-57. [v] Xu Y, et al. “Gotu kola (Centella Asiatica) extract enhances phosphorylation of cyclic AMP response element binding protein in neuroblastoma cells expressing amyloid beta peptide.” J Alzheimers Dis. 2008 Apr;13(3):341-9. [vi] Tiwari S, et al. “Effect of Centella asiatica on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and other common age-related clinical problems.” Dig J Nanomater Bio. 2008;3:215–220. [vii] Wattanathorn J, et al. “Positive modulation of cognition and mood in the healthy elderly volunteer following the administration of Centella asiatica.” J Ethnopharmacol. 2008;116(2):325-332. [viii] Orhan I. “Centella asiatica (L.) Urban: From traditional medicine to modern medicine with neuroprotective potential.” eCAM. 2012;2012:946259. [ix] Xu Y, et al. “Gotu Kola (Centella Asiatica) extract enhances phosphorylation of cyclic AMP response element binding protein in neuroblastoma cells expressing amyloid beta peptide.” J Alzheimers Dis. 2008 Apr; 13(3):341-9. [x] Farhana KM, Malueka RG, et al. “Effectiveness of gotu kola extract 750 mg and 1000 mg compared with folic acid 3 mg in improving vascular cognitive impairment after stroke.” eCAM. 2016: 2795915. [xi] Incandela L, et al. “Total triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica in chronic venous insufficiency and in high-perfusion microangiopathy.” Angiology. 2001 Oct.;52 Suppl 2:S9-13. To read the original article click here.

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Glyphosate Exposure Linked to Lasting Brain Inflammation

The AHA! Team — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 06:04:19 +0000

Arizona State University via News-Medical – The human brain is an incredibly adaptable organ, often able to heal itself even from significant trauma. The human brain is an incredibly adaptable organ, often able to heal itself even from significant trauma. Yet for the first time, new research shows even brief contact with a common herbicide can cause lasting damage to the brain, which may persist long after direct exposure ends. In a groundbreaking new study, Arizona State University researcher Ramon Velazquez and his colleagues at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), part of City of Hope, demonstrate that mice exposed to the herbicide glyphosate develop significant brain inflammation, which is associated with neurodegenerative disease. The findings suggest the brain may be much more susceptible to the damaging effects of the herbicide than previously thought. Glyphosate is one of the most pervasive herbicides used in the U.S. and worldwide. The research, which appears today in the Journal of Neuroinflammation, identifies an association between glyphosate exposure in mice and symptoms of neuroinflammation, as well as accelerated Alzheimer’s disease-like pathology. This study tracks both the presence and impact of glyphosate’s byproducts in the brain long after exposure ends, showing an array of persistent, damaging effects on brain health. The research, appeared in the Journal of Neuroinflammation Glyphosate exposure in mice also resulted in premature death and anxiety-like behaviors, which replicates findings by others examining glyphosate exposure in rodents. Further, the scientists discovered these symptoms persisted even after a 6-month recovery period during which exposure was discontinued. Additionally, the investigation demonstrated that a byproduct of glyphosate – aminomethylphosphonic acid – accumulated in brain tissue, raising serious concerns about the chemical’s safety for human populations. “Our work contributes to the growing literature highlighting the brain’s vulnerability to glyphosate. Given the increasing incidence of cognitive decline in the aging population, particularly in rural communities where exposure to glyphosate is more common due to large-scale farming, there is an urgent need for more basic research on the effects of this herbicide.” Ramon Velazquez, researcher, Arizona State University Velazquez is a researcher with the ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center at the ASU Biodesign Institute and an assistant professor with the School of Life Sciences. He is joined by first author Samantha K. Bartholomew, a PhD candidate in the Velazquez Lab, other ASU colleagues, and co-senior author Patrick Pirrotte, associate professor with the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and researcher with the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in California. According to the Centers for Disease Research, farm laborers, landscape workers, and others employed in agriculture are more likely to be exposed to glyphosate through inhalation or skin contact. Additionally, the new findings suggest that ingestion of glyphosate residues on foods sprayed with the herbicide potentially poses a health hazard. Most people living in the U.S. have been exposed to glyphosate during their lifetime. “My hope is that our work drives further investigation into the effects of glyphosate exposure, which may lead to a reexamination of its long-term safety and perhaps spark discussion about other prevalent toxins in our environment that may affect the brain,” Bartholomew says. The team’s findings build on earlier ASU research that demonstrates a link between glyphosate exposure and a heightened risk for neurodegenerative disorders. The previous study showed that glyphosate crosses the blood-brain barrier, a protective layer that typically prevents potentially harmful substances from entering the brain. Once glyphosate crosses this barrier, it can interact with brain tissue and appears to contribute to neuroinflammation and other harmful effects on neural function. The EPA considers certain levels of glyphosate safe for human exposure, asserting that the chemical is minimally absorbed into the body and is primarily excreted unchanged. However, recent studies, including this one, indicate that glyphosate, and its major metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid, can persist in the body and accumulate in brain tissue over time, raising questions about existing safety thresholds and whether glyphosate use is safe at all. Herbicide may attack more than weeds Glyphosate is the world’s most heavily applied herbicide, used on crops including corn, soybeans, sugar beets, alfalfa, cotton and wheat. Since the introduction of glyphosate-tolerant crops (genetically engineered to be sprayed with glyphosate without dying) in 1996, glyphosate usage has surged, with applications predominately in agricultural settings. The U.S. Geological Survey notes approximately 300 million pounds of glyphosate are used annually in the United States alone. Although glyphosate levels are regulated on foods imported into the United States, enforcement and specific limits can vary. Due to its widespread use, the chemical is found throughout the food chain. It persists in the air, accumulates in soils, and is found in surface and groundwater. Despite being considered safe by the EPA, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies glyphosate as “possibly carcinogenic to humans,” and emerging research, including this study, points to its potential role in worsening neurodegenerative diseases by contributing to pathologies, like those seen in Alzheimer’s disease. The chemical works by inhibiting a specific enzyme pathway in plants that is crucial for producing essential amino acids. However, its impact extends beyond the intended weed, grass and plant targets, negatively affecting the biological systems in mammals, as demonstrated by its persistence in brain tissue and its role in inflammatory processes. “Herbicides are used heavily and ubiquitously around the world,” says Pirrotte, associate professor in TGen’s Early Detection and Prevention Division, director of the Integrated Mass Spectrometry Shared Resource at TGen and City of Hope, and senior author of the paper. “These findings highlight that many chemicals we regularly encounter, previously considered safe, may pose potential health risks. However, further research is needed to fully assess the public health impact and identify safer alternatives.” Is glyphosate safe to use at all? The researchers hypothesized that glyphosate exposure would induce neuroinflammation in control mice and worsen neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s model mice, causing elevated Amyloid-β and tau pathology and worsening spatial cognition after recovery. Amyloid-β and Tau are key proteins that comprise plaques and tau tangles, the classic diagnostic markers of Alzheimer’s disease. Plaques and tangles disrupt neural functioning and are directly linked to memory loss and cognitive decline. The experiments were conducted over 13 weeks, followed by a six-month recovery period. The main metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid, was detected in the brains of both normal and transgenic mice with Alzheimer’s pathology. Transgenic mice are genetically modified to carry genes that cause them to develop Alzheimer’s-like symptoms as they age. This allows researchers to study the progression and effects of the disease in a controlled laboratory setting. The researchers tested two levels of glyphosate exposure: a high dose, similar to levels used in earlier research, and a lower dose that is close to the limit used to establish the current acceptable dose in humans. This lower dose still led to harmful effects in the brains of mice, even after exposure ceased for months. While reports show that most Americans are exposed to glyphosate daily, these results show that even a short period could potentially cause neurological damage. Glyphosate caused a persistent increase in inflammatory markers in the brain and blood, even after the recovery period. This prolonged inflammation could drive the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, indicating even temporary glyphosate exposure can lead to enduring inflammatory processes that affect brain health. The data emphasizes that glyphosate exposure may be a significant health concern for human populations. The researchers stress the need for continued vigilance and intensified surveillance of glyphosate neurological and other long-term negative health effects. “Our goal is to identify environmental factors that contribute to the rising prevalence of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases in our society,” Velazquez says. “By unveiling such factors, we can develop strategies to minimize exposures, ultimately improving the quality of life for the growing aging population.” The National Institutes on Aging, National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, and ASU Biodesign Institute funded this study. Source: Arizona State University Journal reference: Bartholomew, S. K., et al. (2024) Glyphosate exposure exacerbates neuroinflammation and Alzheimer’s disease-like pathology despite a 6-month recovery period in mice. Journal of Neuroinflammation. doi.org/10.1186/s12974-024-03290-6. To read the original article click here.

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New Research Promises Advances to Brain Cancer Treatment

The AHA! Team — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 08:23:36 +0000

Zachy Hennessey via Israel21c – By starving tumors of glucose, researchers may have found an innovative way of selectively killing cancer cells while sparing healthy ones. A team of researchers at Ben-Gurion University has unveiled a novel approach to treating brain cancer by targeting the survival mechanisms of tumor cells under glucose starvation. Their findings, published May 14 in Nature Communications, suggest that accelerating the metabolic processes of tumor cells during glucose starvation could cause them to quickly exhaust their energy supplies and die. Research head Prof. Barak Rotblat, along with co-lead researcher Gabriel Leprivier of the Institute of Neuropathology at University Hospital Düsseldorf, discovered that tumors have less glucose compared to normal tissue. The top priority of cancer cells might be survival rather than growth This observation challenges the belief that cancer cells are primarily focused on rapid proliferation. Instead, the researchers propose that the top priority of cancer cells might be survival rather than growth. Triggering a burst of growth under glucose starvation could lead to the cells running out of energy. Cells regulate their growth based on energy availability, synthesizing fats and proteins when energy is plentiful and halting these processes when energy is scarce to avoid burning out. Tumors are often in a state of glucose starvation. By identifying and disabling the molecular mechanisms that enable their survival under these conditions, the researchers aim to selectively target cancer cells while sparing healthy ones. New research promises advances to brain cancer treatment “We may be able to target just the cancer cells and not regular cells at all, which would be a very promising step forward on the path to personalized medicine and therapeutics that do not affect healthy cells the way chemotherapy and radiation do,” Rotblat explained. The team focused on the mTOR (Mammalian Target of Rapamycin) pathway, which plays a key role in regulating cell growth based on energy levels. They identified a protein within this pathway, 4EBP1, as essential for cells to survive glucose starvation. 4EBP1 inhibits the enzyme ACC1 in the fatty acid synthesis pathway, a mechanism that cancer cells exploit to thrive in low-glucose environments. “Our discovery about glucose starvation and the role of antioxidants opens a therapeutic window to pursue a molecule which could treat glioma [brain cancer],” Rotblat noted. The potential application of this research could extend to other types of cancers. Rotblat’s team is now collaborating with BGN Technologies (BGU’s tech-transfer company) and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev to develop a molecule that will block 4EBP1. This intervention would force glucose-starved tumor cells to continue synthesizing fats, depleting their energy reserves and leading to cell death. The research highlights a new direction in the pursuit of cancer treatments that target cancer cells specifically, offering a potential alternative to conventional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation that affect healthy cells. To read the original article click here.

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Soft, Stretchy ‘Jelly Batteries’ Inspired by Electric Eels

The AHA! Team — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 08:12:50 +0000

University of Cambridge via EurekAlert! – Researchers have developed soft, stretchable ‘jelly batteries’ that could be used for wearable devices or soft robotics, or even implanted in the brain to deliver drugs or treat conditions such as epilepsy. The researchers, from the University of Cambridge, took their inspiration from electric eels, which stun their prey with modified muscle cells called electrocytes. Like electrocytes, the jelly-like materials developed by the Cambridge researchers have a layered structure, like sticky Lego, that makes them capable of delivering an electric current. The self-healing jelly batteries can stretch to over ten times their original length without affecting their conductivity The first time that such stretchability and conductivity has been combined in a single material. The results are reported in the journal Science Advances. The jelly batteries are made from hydrogels: 3D networks of polymers that contain over 60% water. The polymers are held together by reversible on/off interactions that control the jelly’s mechanical properties. The ability to precisely control mechanical properties and mimic the characteristics of human tissue makes hydrogels ideal candidates for soft robotics and bioelectronics; however, they need to be both conductive and stretchy for such applications. “It’s difficult to design a material that is both highly stretchable and highly conductive, since those two properties are normally at odds with one another,” said first author Stephen O’Neill, from Cambridge’s Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry. “Typically, conductivity decreases when a material is stretched.” “Normally, hydrogels are made of polymers that have a neutral charge, but if we charge them, they can become conductive,” said co-author Dr Jade McCune, also from the Department of Chemistry. “And by changing the salt component of each gel, we can make them sticky and squish them together in multiple layers, so we can build up a larger energy potential.” Conventional electronics use rigid metallic materials with electrons as charge carriers, while the jelly batteries use ions to carry charge, like electric eels. Jelly batteries use ions to carry charge, like electric eels The hydrogels stick strongly to each other because of reversible bonds that can form between the different layers, using barrel-shaped molecules called cucurbiturils that are like molecular handcuffs. The strong adhesion between layers provided by the molecular handcuffs allows for the jelly batteries to be stretched, without the layers coming apart and crucially, without any loss of conductivity. The properties of the jelly batteries make them promising for future use in biomedical implants, since they are soft and mould to human tissue. “We can customise the mechanical properties of the hydrogels so they match human tissue,” said Professor Oren Scherman, Director of the Melville Laboratory for Polymer Synthesis, who led the research in collaboration with Professor George Malliaras from the Department of Engineering. “Since they contain no rigid components such as metal, a hydrogel implant would be much less likely to be rejected by the body or cause the build-up of scar tissue.” In addition to their softness, the hydrogels are also surprisingly tough. They can withstand being squashed without permanently losing their original shape, and can self-heal when damaged. The researchers are planning future experiments to test the hydrogels in living organisms to assess their suitability for a range of medical applications. The research was funded by the European Research Council and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Oren Scherman is a Fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge. To read the original article click here.

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New Technique Connects Lab-Grown “Neural Organoids” to Resemble Brain Circuits

The AHA! Team — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 08:33:29 +0000

Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo via News-Medical – Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is extremely prevalent among adults, affecting over 800 million individuals worldwide. The idea of growing a functioning human brain-like tissues in a dish has always sounded pretty far-fetched, even to researchers in the field. Towards the future goal, a Japanese and French research team has developed a technique for connecting lab-grown brain-mimicking tissue in a way that resembles circuits in our brain. It is challenging to study exact mechanisms of the brain development and functions. Animal studies are limited by differences between species in brain structure and function, and brain cells grown in the lab tend to lack the characteristic connections of cells in the human brain. What’s more, researchers are increasingly realizing that these interregional connections, and the circuits that they create, are important for many of the brain functions that define us as humans. Previous studies have tried to create brain circuits under laboratory conditions, which have been advancing the field. Researchers from The University of Tokyo have recently found a way to create more physiological connections between lab-grown “neural organoids,” an experimental model tissue in which human stem cells are grown into three-dimensional developmental brain-mimicking structures. The team did this by linking the organoids via axonal bundles, which is similar to how regions are connected in the living human brain. “In single-neural organoids grown under laboratory conditions, the cells start to display relatively simple electrical activity, when we connected two neural organoids with axonal bundles, we were able to see how these bidirectional connections contributed to generating and synchronizing activity patterns between the organoids, showing some similarity to connections between two regions within the brain.” – Tomoya Duenki, co-lead author of the study The cerebral organoids that were connected with axonal bundles showed more complex activity than single organoids or those connected using previous techniques. In addition, when the research team stimulated the axonal bundles using a technique known as optogenetics, the organoid activity was altered accordingly and the organoids were affected by these changes for some time, in a process known as plasticity. “These findings suggest that axonal bundle connections are important for developing complex networks,” explains Yoshiho Ikeuchi, senior author of the study. “Notably, complex brain networks are responsible for many profound functions, such as language, attention, and emotion.” Given that alterations in brain networks have been associated with various neurological and psychiatric conditions, a better understanding of brain networks is important. The ability to study lab-grown human neural circuits will improve our knowledge of how these networks form and change over time in different situations, and may lead to improved treatments for these conditions. Source: Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo Journal reference: Osaki, T., et al. (2024). Complex activity and short-term plasticity of human cerebral organoids reciprocally connected with axons. Nature Communications. doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-46787-7. To read the original article click here.

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3 Simple Ways to Improve Brain Health

AHA Publisher — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 07:00:45 +0000

Sima Ash via NaturalHealth365 – Approximately 5.4 million Americans are currently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and this number is expected to triple by 2050. In addition, the rate of children with autism is said to be 1 in 50 throughout the United States. What is happening to our collective brain health? Think about the importance of our memories – which are a crucial part of our social lives. Interacting, carrying a conversation, and participating in everyday tasks require a good functional memory. This is why conditions such as autism and Alzheimer’s cause such concern for caregivers as they worry that their loved ones will forget to turn off a stove or other life-threatening mishaps. Fat Improves Brain Function in MANY Ways According to Psychology Today, the brain thrives on fat-rich, low-carbohydrate foods. Diets overloaded with carbs and not enough fats have been associated with dementia, ADHD, chronic headaches, and Alzheimer’s because poor quality ‘carbs’ can trigger inflammation. Fats actually promote the birth of new brain cells and communication between neurons and are needed for a healthy brain. The Mayo Clinic found that people who favor carbohydrates have an 89% increased risk for developing dementia as contrasted to those whose diets contained the most fat. Those with the highest levels of fat consumption had a 44% reduction in risk for developing dementia. Healthy fats consist of avocado, coconut oil, extra-virgin olive oil, flaxseed oil, olives, fatty fish, nuts, and seeds. These healthy fats should be consumed with every meal as many nutrients in our food – beta carotene, vitamin D, vitamin E, and some forms of vitamin C – require fats for proper absorption. Don’t Forget High-Quality Nutritional Supplements for Brain Health Many studies show that omega-3 is extremely beneficial for brain health. Alzheimer’s, ADHD, and autism are all positively impacted by supplementing with omega-3. In fact, a recent study in The American Journal of Epidemiologyfound that mothers who were in the lowest 5% of omega-3 consumption had a significant increase in having offspring with an autism spectrum disorder. Researchers found that variations in intake of polyunsaturated fats within the range commonly observed among US women could affect fetal brain development and ASD risk. Aequorea Victoria – which comes from jellyfish – is demonstrating wonderful results in Alzheimer’s patients. The jellyfish protein protects and extends the lives of brain cells by lowering calcium concentrations within the neurons. A 30-day study of the supplement was given to a group of volunteers, with the majority reporting an improvement in general memory and retention of information. 84% could better remember driving directions, and family members reported return of speech and increased activity. In my practice, I have been using this product with clients with Alzheimer’s and those with autism as well – with positive results. We carry the product (Prevagen) in two strengths and generally recommend starting with the lower dosage. The Brain Needs Exercise – Get Started Today Puzzles, Sudoku, and other online programs can all help. For clients with ADHD and autism, exercising their brain with Interactive Metronome (IM) – through registered therapists – as well as adjunct home units can be of great benefit. Individuals and Fortune 500 companies have used scientific Sound to strengthen memory, enhance sleep and help with a variety of ‘brain issues.’ Both IM and Scientific Sound not only help with memory but with sensory integration as well. Frontiers in Psychology reports that trying to ‘strengthen’ the brain with video games and computer games is NOT a good approach. There is not enough evidence to back up those particular programs. About the author: Sima Ash of Healing 4 Soul is a clinical and classical homeopath and certified clinical nutritionist who utilizes a unique approach pioneered by Tinus Smits, M.D. called CEASE therapy. CEASE treatment aims to systematically detoxify the causes of illness, leading to step-by-step improvement and restoration of health in the individual. For additional information, please visit Healing4Soul.com. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov PsychologyToday.com NIH.gov To read the original article click here.

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Scientists Develop Simple Blood Test for Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease

AHA Publisher — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 07:00:20 +0000

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology via EurekAlert – An international research team led by HKUST has developed a simple but robust blood test from Chinese patient data for early detection and screening of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) for the first time, with an accuracy level of over 96%. Currently, doctors mainly rely on cognitive tests to diagnose a person with AD. Besides clinical assessment, brain imaging and lumbar puncture are the two most commonly used medical procedures to detect changes in the brain caused by AD. However, these methods are expensive, invasive, and frequently unavailable in many countries. Now, a team led by Prof. Nancy IP, Vice-President for Research and Development at HKUST, has identified 19 out of the 429 plasma proteins associated with AD to form a biomarker panel representative of an “AD signature” in the blood. Based on this panel, the team has developed a scoring system that distinguishes AD patients from healthy people with more than 96% accuracy. This system can also differentiate among the early, intermediate, and late stages of AD, and can be used to monitor the progression of the disease over time. These exciting findings have led to the development of a high-performance, blood-based test for AD, and may also pave the way to novel therapeutic treatments for the disease. “With the advancement of ultrasensitive blood-based protein detection technology, we have developed a simple, noninvasive, and accurate diagnostic solution for AD, which will greatly facilitate population-scale screening and staging of the disease,” said Prof. Nancy Ip, Morningside Professor of Life Science and the Director of the State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience at HKUST. The work was conducted in collaboration with researchers at University College London and clinicians in local hospitals including the Prince of Wales Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The discovery was made using the proximity extension assay (PEA) – a cutting-edge ultrasensitive and high-throughput protein measurement technology, to examine the levels of over 1,000 proteins in the plasma of AD patients in Hong Kong. As the most comprehensive study of blood proteins in AD patients to date, the work has recently been published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, and has also been featured and actively discussed on different scholarly exchange platforms on AD research such as Alzforum. AD, which affects over 50 million people worldwide, involves the dysfunction and loss of brain cells. Its symptoms include progressive memory loss as well as impaired movement, reasoning, and judgment. While patients often only seek medical attention and are diagnosed when they have memory problems, AD affects the brain at least 10-20 years before symptoms appear. To read the original article click here.

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Seeking a Treatment for IBS Pain in Tarantula Venom

AHA Publisher — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 07:00:34 +0000

American Chemical Society via EurekAlert – For patients who have inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), the condition is literally a pain in the gut. Chronic — or long-term — abdominal pain is common, and there are currently no effective treatment options for this debilitating symptom. In a new study in ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science, researchers identify a new potential source of relief: a molecule derived from spider venom. In experiments with mice, they found that one dose could stop symptoms associated with IBS pain. The sensation of pain originates in electrical signals carried from the body to the brain by cells called neurons. Tiny channels in the surfaces of neurons help them transmit these signals by allowing positively charged sodium ions to pass into the cell. There are numerous types of sodium channels, and some pain-killing drugs work by blocking them. However, existing treatments interfere with channels indiscriminately and can only be used briefly — not for chronic pain. Stuart Brierley, Glenn King and colleagues wanted to find a way to selectively target the channels activated during chronic IBS pain. The researchers focused on a particular sodium channel they suspected was responsible for chronic IBS pain. Then, to block it, they turned to the richest known source of molecules that alter the activity of sodium channels: spider venom. In the venom of a Peruvian tarantula, they discovered a molecule that they named Tsp1a, which had promising blocking activity. To test its potential as a treatment, the researchers used mice that had an IBS-related condition, and they monitored the mice during the experiment to detect a reflex associated with pain. A single Tsp1a treatment delivered into the mice’s colons significantly reduced the occurrence of this reflex, indicating pain relief. What’s more, Tsp1a appeared highly selective and did not interfere with other body functions, suggesting it could be used safely in humans. While Tsp1a shows promise as a potential treatment for chronic IBS pain, thorough studies of its activity in the body and the immune system’s reaction to it will be critical, the researchers write. To read the original article click here.

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Saffron Put to the Test for Alzheimer’s

AHA Publisher — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 07:00:56 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via Nutrition Facts – The spice saffron is pitted head-to-head against the leading drug for severe Alzheimer’s disease. What’s the latest on treating memory disorders with the spice saffron? As I discuss in my video Saffron Versus Memantine (Namenda) for Alzheimer’s, “saffron has been widely used in the Persian traditional medicine for memory problems,” but it wasn’t put to the test until a study showed that Alzheimer’s dementia symptoms continued to worsen on placebo but got better on saffron over a 16-week period, as you can see at 0:21 in my video. The researchers concluded that saffron is “safe and effective in mild-to-moderate AD [Alzheimer’s disease] patients,” at least in the short term. What about head-to-head against the leading drug used for such patients? Saffron appeared to work just as well—but with significantly less vomiting, a common side effect of the drug in this study. So, that’s where we were as of 2010. What’s the update? In 2013, we got the first glimpse of a potential mechanism. Alzheimer’s disease involves “brain nerve cell destruction.” Our brain cells can be killed by the buildup of either tangles or amyloid plaques, where aggregates of a protein called amyloid beta “act as a poison.” But, as you can see at 1:13 in my video, adding crocin, the red pigment found in saffron, significantly reduces this amyloid clumping in a petri dish, which is an effect that can be plainly seen under an electron microscope. So, the component of saffron that makes it so colorful appears to have “the ability to prevent amyloid formation.” What about the tangles? Crocin also seems to be able to block the tangles in vitro, as demonstrated once again with electron microscopy. Perhaps this is why saffron helps in Alzheimer’s disease, but this was just for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s. Does that mean you have to catch it early? What about moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s? We didn’t know, until a study compared saffron head-to-head against the leading drug for severe Alzheimer’s. Once again, saffron seemed to work just as well, as you can see at 2:01 in my video. In fact, one might consider saffron worked even better because there haven’t been any serious adverse effects attributed to saffron, whereas the drug is associated with increased risk of sleepiness, weight gain, confusion, hypertension, nervous system disorders, and falling. The saffron study wasn’t funded by supplement or spice companies—just noncommercial public grants. But, all the studies were done in Iran, which controls about 90 percent of the saffron crop. So, promoting saffron consumption may be of national interest, just like the New Zealand government funds research on kiwifruit—though who else is going to fund studies on a simple spice? To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Greger click here.

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