Scientists at the University of Western Australia have devised an intriguing method of removing unwanted neural connections in mice. Whether or not this procedure is directly applicable to humans, it opens a world of possibilities for improving the mental lives of a wide range of persons at every stage of life, from early onset schizophrenia through the brain maladaptations of senescence.

One of the pillars of Aubrey de Grey’s Sens approach to anti-ageing is the removal of malfunctioning cells in the body. There is an analogous need in the brains of many individuals to remove malfunctioning or excess nerves and nerve connections, to optimise or improve brain functioning. Here is more on the experiments in mouse brains:

Jennifer Rodger from the University of Western Australia in Crawley and colleagues have found that stimulating the brain at intensities lower than would make a neuron fire can remove unwanted neural connections in mice.

As children, our brains produce too many connections between cells. As we develop, some connections are pruned away while others are strengthened. Inept pruning has been implicated in schizophrenia.

Rodger’s team used genetically modified mice with abnormal connections in an area of the brain called the superior colliculus (SC), which is involved in motion detection. In these mice, 90 per cent of the axons in the SC had extended into the wrong areas. These bad connections make it difficult for the rodents to follow moving objects in their line of sight.

Rodger used low-intensity, pulsed magnetic field stimulation (PMF) on the rodents’ SC for 10 minutes a day over two weeks. It is thought that PMF is too weak to make healthy neurons fire. But after treatment, tissue analysis showed that only 45 per cent of the abnormal axons were still there. “The axons that weren’t in the right place were wiped out,” says Rodger. After treatment the mice were also better at tracking objects.

“PMF is awakening unwanted connections, so the brain can detect and remove them,” says Rodger.

Unwanted neurons generally express high levels of a specific NMDA glutamate receptor. According to Rodger, this makes them sensitive to changes in electrical activity and so even low-intensity pulses can activate these neurons.

NMDA receptors send out signals that trigger the recruitment of two chemicals called nitric oxide and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which help remove abnormal circuitry in healthy brains. Indeed, modified mice given PMF expressed higher levels of both chemicals, while only minor changes were found in healthy mice or those given a sham procedure (The FASEB Journal, DOI: 10.1096/fj.11-194878).

“I think it is a very promising avenue for treatment of nervous system disorders that involve abnormally abundant and inaccurate connections,” says Rodger. _NewScientist

The brain is in a constant state of plasticity and re-shaping throughout life. But the brain often ends up in malfunctioning or maladaptive states which can be difficult to re-shape, without outside assistance. Part of the problem may lie in the genomics or gene expression of receptors or ion channels — leading to consequent problems at higher levels of neuron function and the function of neuronal assemblies. Optimally, the underlying genetic or epigenetic cause would be corrected. But that isn’t possible in most cases — not yet.

In the meantime, workaround solutions such as the one discovered by the Australian researchers, may well allow for cruder fixes that can still add significantly to the quality of a person’s mental existence.

The challenge in this case is to not only remove unwanted nerves or neural connections. One must also be able to stimulate growth of new neural connections in more optimal configurations.

Al Fin Longevity

Scientists at the University of Toronto have recently made a breakthrough in the control of IPS cells’ pluripotency:

Scientists have found a control switch that regulates stem cell “pluripotency,” the capacity of stem cells to develop into any type of cell in the human body. The discovery reveals that pluripotency is regulated by a single event in a process called alternative splicing.

Alternative splicing allows one gene to generate many different genetic messages and protein products. The researchers found that in genetic messages of a gene called FOXP1, the switch was active in embryonic stem cells but silent in “adult” cells—those that had become the specialized cells that comprise organs and perform functions.

“It opens the field to the fact that alternative splicing plays a really important role in stem cell pluripotency,” said Prof. Benjamin Blencowe, principal investigator on the study and a Professor in the University of Toronto’s Departments of Molecular Genetics and Banting and Best Department of Medical Research. “We’re beginning to see an entirely new landscape of regulation, which will be crucial to our understanding of how to produce more effective pluripotent stem cells for therapeutic and research applications.”

The findings were published in the current online edition of the scientific journal Cell. _Source

These are some fascinating developments, which will eventually lead to advanced therapies for diseases which are currently untreatable, such as cancers and end stage degenerative diseases of the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and brain.

The ability to grow replacement organs from stem cells is already being proven in animals. The ability to regenerate a badly degenerated organ in situ, using stem cells, is also being proven. According to George Church, stem cells are also the best method for making genetic improvements to organs and organisms.

BioHeart’s clinical stem cell trials in Mexico

ThermoGenesis an early commercial entrant into the human stem cell regenerative medicine industry

Al Fin Longevity

Multiple losses are common as people age, including deaths of spouse, family, and friends. A less obvious form of loss involves the change in relationship quality with a spouse or friend who may be experiencing physical or cognitive impairment. These losses, as well as the awareness of one’s own mortality, often trigger a review and evaluation of unrealized dreams, lost opportunities, and unresolved relationships. This review may activate negative thoughts and maladaptive schema that impede the recovery process. In addition, the loss of meaningful relationships may isolate the older adult and reduce the opportunities for support and social interactions with others.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy interventions that seek to address these concerns can be helpful in reversing the negative spiral and engaging the individual in a more positive and adaptive response. For example, cognitive interventions that identify negative thoughts and challenge their accuracy will facilitate a more positive grief reaction and process. If the person believes that ‘I can’t survive alone,’ ‘My life is a total failure,’ or ‘I’ll never be happy again,’ then the person will find it difficult to interpret experience accurately. Cognitive techniques, such as ‘examining the evidence’ and ‘generating alternative thoughts,’ will facilitate a more positive recovery from loss and bereavement. In combination with behavioral techniques, such as increasing pleasant events and interactions with others, Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps move the person into a more problem-solving and adaptive response.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an approach to treatment of psychological problems that emphasizes the relationship among cognitive processes (thoughts or beliefs), emotions, and behavior. The assumption is that what one believes about an event or experience impacts how one feels and behaves in that situation. Similarly, the activities or behaviors that one engages in will affect mood and thoughts. Thus, a depressed person is often trapped in a downward spiral of negative thoughts that lead to depressed feelings and disengagement from meaningful and pleasant activities. The approach to treatment assumes that changes in thoughts and behaviors will result in changes in mood. The process of treatment is active and directive, with the therapist and patient working collaboratively to identify and change negative or dysfunctional thoughts and increase participation in meaningful activities. The goal of CBT is to teach the skills needed to change the dysfunctional thinking and behaviors that contribute to negative mood. Thus, Cognitive behavioral interventions therapy emphasizes the teaching of coping skills for dealing with problems rather than ‘curing’ the problem. The expected consequence of teaching these skills is an increase in patients’ sense of self efficacy, competency, and coping abilities. These skills equip them to deal not only with present problems, but also with future problems. The leading figures in the development of general cognitive therapy approaches to treatment of mood disorders are Albert Ellis, Donald Meichenbaum, and Aaron Beck.

Cognitive-behavioral interventions approaches to managing the distress associated with physical/somatic complaints problems show much promise. As with anxiety disorders, the treatment of somatic complaints of older clients with pharmacological interventions poses risks. Multiple drug interactions, risk of sedation leading to loss of balance or falls, and addiction are problems that come with use of medication as the sole treatment for these problems. A growing literature on alternate methods of treating or managing these problems suggests that cognitive-behavioral interventions is a promising addition to traditional treatments. (more…)

Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions Research documenting the efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions in treating the psychological problems of older adults is encouraging. Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and somatic complaints (e.g., chronic pain elderly, insomnia) in multiple controlled studies. However, research also has indicated that there may be multiple variables to consider in determining whether Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions is the best approach to use with a specific patient and a specific problem. For example, differential effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions compared to other forms of psychotherapy is less certain. (more…)

” class=”index-image” width=”120″ />

The proportion of elderly at any age without any chronic conditions is small, and disease can trigger a cascade of events resulting in functional deficits and disability. An increase in the number of activities with which an elder has difficulty increases linearly with comorbidity, that is, coexistent medical conditions that further complicate not only the genesis of a functional deficit but also its treatment. For example, rehabilitation for a stroke for an individual who also has painful, degenerative changes in the foot and a low tolerance for stressful activity secondary to angina with exertion would present a particular rehabilitation challenge. Yet, this example encapsulates geriatric rehabilitation specialist’s emphasis on care and function, not cure and disease. (more…)

Aging begins before we are born, is a lifelong process and continues throughout life. Throughout the life course, differing life experiences influence our capabilities and well-being in our later years. The functional capacity of our biological systems increases during the first years of life, reaches its peak in early adult-hood and naturally declines thereafter. Throughout most countries (but not all), persons experience a long childhood and a long old age. These two lengthy developmental spans have provided great utility. Throughout history, it has enabled older persons to educate the younger and pass on values to them. (more…)

The overarching goal of physical therapy rehabilitation is to return the individual to as close to the premorbid level of function as possible or, alternatively, to maximize a person’s current potential for function and maintain it as long as possible. This goal is achieved by promoting changes in the individual, by altering his or her physical health elderly or social environments, or by implementing a combination of both strategies. (more…)

Young people rarely worry about their physics capacities. As a matter of fact they take tremendous pride in their physical well being and usually behave as though it were something that will go on forever.

However, by the time people reach middle age certain changes become apparent to challenge this certainty that youthful vigor will last for all time. (more…)

There are differences on what exactly contribute to quality of life on a personal level from person to person. Although many older people in good health condition have the increase of physical problems that affect them and their businesses. Although these disorders are more common with age, including Alzheimer, dementia, arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, depression, kidneys problem; lung disease, cancer and men’s prostate disease. (more…)