Neurogenesis
Tenzing Thokmai,
XI A Science
The
term neurogenesis might sound like something out of science fictional movie or
something only the high educated professors would understand, however it is not
as complicated or futuristic as it may seem or sound. Neurogenesis is jut a
fancier term that simply means the creation of new nerve cells but this
creation of new nerve cell is controversial subject among the neuroscientists.
You may be wondering why? So, here is the answer.
Until
recently, most neuroscientist thought we were born with all the neurons that we
were ever going to have. It was considered that the numbers of neurons were
fixed and they did not replicate after the maturity of the brain. When we were
babies we tend to produce new neurons to help build the pathways called neural
circuits that acted as information highways between different parts of the
brain. But, the Scientists believed that the generation of new neurons during
the age of adult would disrupt the brain ability to learn and remember.
In
1962, scientist Joseph Altman was the first one who as able to provide evidence
of neurogenesis (the birth of neurons) in a region of an adult rat brain called
the hippocampus where the brain plays an important role in memory and spatial
navigation. Then in 1979, another scientist, Michael Kaplan confirmed Altman’s
finding in the rat brain after which in 1983, he found neural stem cells in the
forebrain of an adult monkey from which new neurons were formed and
regenerated.
These
discoveries about neurogenesis in the adult brain were surprising to other
researchers who did not believed that it could occur in humans. But, later in
early 1980s, scientist Fernando Nottebohm and his research team came to know
that the number of neurons in the forebrain of male canries dramatically
increased during the mating season. This was the time when the birds needed to
learn new songs to attract females. Nottebohm believed that these new neurons
helped them to remember and learn those new songs which gave rise to the idea
that the brains of mammals might too generate new neurons throughout their
lifespan.
So,
if new neurons are being formed in our so called brain then how can we
facilitate it in order to make our mind sharper and gain long lasting memory power?
Thus, many scientists say that it can be achieved through.
Exercise:
running, yoga and sports increases hormones such as testosterone which is
highly beneficial for neurogenesis and reduces stress.
Meditation:
It has been found that meditation leads to increase in grey matter density in
our brain including the hippocampus and you don’t have to be particularly
Buddhist to practice meditation. Anyone from any religion can practice it.
Nutrition:
As the saying goes “You become what you eat” is quite true because stuffs such
as blueberries and green tea are good for brain health and supportive of
neurognesis.
Rest
and No stress: It is said that stress can cause death of neurons so be careful
and just take a chill pill because you don’t want your brain to end up empty.
That’s
all for now but for some neuroscientist, neurognesis in the adult brain is
still an unproven theory. Bhut, others think the evidence offers intriguing
possibilities about the role of adult generated neurons in learning and memory.
So, this mystery will go on but my final question is “Do you believe it, or Not?”
