Adults can grow new brain cells?
Good news for lifelong learners: new research suggests adults may continue to produce new neurons [https://earth.com/news/can-adults-grow-new-brain-cells-we-may-finally-have-the-answer]. This challenges old assumptions about brain plasticity and supports the value of lifelong learning and mindfulness.
The idea of adult neurogenesis, the ability to grow new brain cells throughout adulthood, has been debated for decades. For a long time, it was believed that humans were born with a finite number of neurons that could not be replaced. However, research since the 1960s has suggested that neurogenesis does occur in specific brain regions, particularly the hippocampus, which is associated with memory. Recent studies have explored how lifestyle factors, such as aerobic exercise and stress levels, can influence the rate of neurogenesis. Some research indicates that engaging in regular aerobic exercise and managing stress may promote the production of new neurons. Conversely, increased stress and secretion of glucocorticoids may reduce hippocampal neurogenesis. The implications of understanding adult neurogenesis are far-reaching, with potential benefits for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and mood disorders like depression. Moreover, it may enhance recovery from brain injuries. Scientists led by Orly Lazarov at the University of Illinois, Chicago, linked the rate of neurogenesis to cognition and discovered that neurogenesis withered in patients with Alzheimer's but blossomed in superagers.
