"Cognitive Reserve": How to Maintain Your Brain

The concept of "cognitive reserve" has been around since 1989 when post-mortem studies showed that some individuals who had full Alzheimer's pathology (tangles and plaques) had been able to live normal lives while others had shown symptoms.

Since then, researchers such as Dr. Yaakov Stern from Columbia University in New York have made discoveries about the factors that help to build cognitive reserve and thus reduce the risk of developing symptoms of Alzheimer's.

In an interview I read recently with Dr. Stern, the interviewer emphasizes three key points that apply to young and old alike:

1. Education, an engaging occupation, and leisure activities reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's.

2. Stimulating activities, ideally combining physical exercise, learning, and social interaction help to build cognitive reserve.

3. It is never too late to start building our cognitive reserve.

To read more about how you can start (or what to continue):

http://http//www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/07/23/build-your-cognitive-reserve-yaakov-stern/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8292945/

The Effects of Exercise on the Brain

Exercise has been shown to increase neurogenesis--the generation of new nerve cells--in the brain.

Tonight, "The National", Canada's national evening news program featured a story on the effects of exercise on the students in an alternative class in Saskatchewan.

In the story, Dr. John Ratey, author of a book called "Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain" explains how exercise affects the brain, particularly the front parts of the brain that are involved in impulse behaviour.

Exercise, he says, helps preserve nerve cells, makes them stronger, withstand stress, and makes them more pliable. As a result of these changes in the brain, students are able to concentrate and manage their behaviour better.

You can learn more at:

http://www.cbc.ca/national/blog/special_features/brain_gains.html

The Frontal Lobes: Our Brain's "Conductor"

We all know how important the conductor of a music orchestra is. The conductor provides the leadership required for all the different instruments and the individuals playing them to create beautiful music together.

Like the orchestra conductor, the frontal lobes in our brain play a critical role. The frontal lobes are responsible for forming goals, making a plan of action, coordinating the cognitive skills required to carry this out, and evaluating our actions.

In his book, "The Executive Brain: Frontal Lobes and the Civilized Mind" Dr. Elkhonon Goldberg explores the frontal lobes, that part of the brain that performs what are called "executive functions" and that reaches significant development only in humans.

Dr. Goldberg likens the frontal lobes to the CEO of a corporation, an army general, or an orchestra conductor.

He discusses how even subtle damage to this part of the brain which is normally involved in motivation, drive, foresight, clear vision of one's goals, self-awareness and awareness of others can produce apathy, inertia, indifference, and blindness in judgement.

Poor development or damage to the frontal lobes may also result in behavior that is considered socially inappropriate and irresponsible and in difficulties with novelty and learning.

The frontal lobes are affected not only directly but as a result of damage anywhere in the brain because of their connections to and from other brain structures. The frontal lobes, the last part of the brain to develop, are more vulnerable than any other part of the brain.

The frontal lobes are particularly affected in Alzheimer's and other dementias, schizophrenia, head injury (from car accidents, sports injuries, or toxins), attention deficit disorder, learning disabilities, Tourette's Syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other conditions.

Often times, problems which are labelled as "personality" problems may actually be due to a problem with brain functioning. Dr. Goldberg's book contributes to awareness about the importance of understanding the brain and in particular the crucial role of the frontal lobes.

Dr. Goldberg is Clinical Professor of Neurology at the New York University School of Medicine and Director of the Institute of Neuropsychology and Cognitive Performance. He was a featured speaker at IBREA's two recent events held at the United Nations.

You can read an article and interview with Dr. Goldberg at http://www.brainworldmagazine.com/.

I Am an Earth Citizen

As our awareness about the Earth's problems increases, the next question usually is, "What can I do?"

One of the key messages that I took from the movie "The 11th Hour" was that since humans have contributed to the Earth's and human problems through our focus on separation, accumulation and success, we also have the potential to solve them by recognizing that we all share the Earth as our home, and by striving for a success that depends on the health and well-being of all people and the Earth.

How do we do that?

By recovering our humanity--by allowing humans and the Earth to return to our natural state of health, well-being, and immense potential for creating in a way that supports each other and the Earth.

IBREA has recently launched the "I am an Earth Citizen" program and "One Dollar Project".

Essentially, people are being encouraged to donate one dollar a month (or more) to support Health, Education, and Environmental projects around the world. The projects are funded by United Nations' agencies in recognition of the United Nations' mission to promote peace, human rights and social progress.

The goal is for one hundred million Earth Citizens to each donate at least one dollar a month.

What's an Earth Citizen?" You are an Earth Citizen. We all are. We were "given" a passport the day we came to this Earth, along with the responsibility to help make it a harmonious and prosperous place.

You may ask, "What can one dollar do?" Giving money in of itself will not solve the problems we have created.

But...one dollar becomes one hundred million dollars. And when one person becomes one hundred million people all coming together not as children or as adults, as men or as women, or as people from different countries, religions, or races but as Earth Citizens with one goal, we are making a powerful statement that our priority is taking care of each other and of the Earth.

As humans, we can use our brains for many different purposes. If we use them to work together to foster health, happiness, and peacefulness for ourselves, others and for the Earth, we will start to support, rather than work against, the natural propensity of humanity and the Earth for harmony and balance.

For more information or to donate, take a look at IBREA's new homepage:

http://www.ibrea.org/

The 11th Hour

I had a chance to watch the documentary film, the 11th Hour, with the IBREA team here in New York City.

The film depicts the seriousness of the environmental crisis that humans have created. But, it also provides hope that we can change paths by changing our thinking and our actions.

As one of the featured speakers suggests, rather than a time to be afraid, it is an exciting opportunity to create something new.

The key to solving the Earth's and humanity's problems lies in realizing that we are all connected, that we share the Earth and common values of love and peace, and that we have the potential to create a much better world.