Many people’s brains deteriorate as they age, becoming riddled with malfunctioning proteins that result in cell death and the loss of memory and cognition. But other people’s brains remain almost perfectly intact, their thinking as sharp at 80 as it was in their 50s.
A paper published Wednesday in the journal Nature provides a new potential explanation for this discrepancy, and it taps into one of the hottest debates in neuroscience: whether human brains can grow new neurons in adulthood, a phenomenon called neurogenesis.
The study found that so-called super-agers people 80 and up who have the memory ability of someone 30 years younger had roughly twice as many new neurons as older adults with normal memory for their age, and 2.5 times more than people with Alzheimer’s disease. The research focused on an area of the brain called the hippocampus, which is important for learning and memory and is thought to be the primary birthplace of new neurons.
“This paper shows biological proof that the aging brain is plastic,” even into a person’s 80s, said Tamar Gefen, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, who contributed to the research.
Meanwhile, My Photo
of the Day:
Latte Art Photo
- Adobo - a classic Filipino dish made with marinated meat (chicken, pork, or beef) cooked in vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic.
- Lechon - a whole roasted pig that's slow-cooked over charcoal, often served on special occasions.
- Lumpia (Filipino spring rolls) - deep-fried or steamed rolls filled with vegetables or meat.
- Chicken or Pork Barbecue - grilled meat skewers, often served with steamed rice and a dipping sauce.
- Sisig - a popular appetizer made with chopped pork's face (such as ears and jowls), served with calamansi and chili peppers.
- Kare-kare - a peanut-based stew made with ox tripe, vegetables, and ground rice.
- Chicken or Pork Tinola - a ginger-based soup made with chicken or pork and vegetables.
- Fried Chicken - Filipino-style fried chicken is often marinated in a mixture of spices and vinegar before frying.
Here are five of the most important news stories today:
1. Middle East tensions push oil prices higher
Conflict involving Iran is escalating, with military strikes reported across Iraq and Lebanon. The vital Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted, driving oil prices sharply upward and raising global economic concerns.
2. Federal Reserve meets amid economic uncertainty
The Federal Reserve begins a key policy meeting today. Markets expect interest rates to remain steady, even as inflation worries persist and global instability clouds the outlook.
3. Nvidia bets big on AI and self-driving future
At its annual conference, Nvidia unveiled new AI chips and major partnerships in the autonomous vehicle space, signaling continued rapid growth in artificial intelligence technologies.
4. March Madness tips off with major buzz
The NCAA men’s basketball tournament begins today, while media coverage heats up with legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski returning to television as an analyst.
5. Severe U.S. storm system leaves widespread impact
A powerful storm system sweeping across the country has caused tornadoes, heavy snow, and widespread outages, affecting hundreds of thousands and disrupting travel nationwide.
