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Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to adapt and reconfigure itself. It does so not only when it is traumatized, but also as it ages. However, brain cells, especially those engaged in memory, need to be stimulated or exercised in order to remain viable, adaptive and healthy.
By Janusz Kaleta
cline
in
Alzheimer's, and other types of dementia, but also strive to preserve cognitive function that directly relates to their sense of control.
maintain independence in community settings cause an excess of disability among seniors, and frequently high
stress on their families.
A recently published book, "The Brain that Changes ltself," by Dr. Norman Doidge, M.D., provides an extensive review of neuroplasticity and paints a new image of the brain
and mind.
New research
Until recently, medical professionals as well as the general public perceived decline in brain functioning as a normal part of aging. The decade-long revolution within the field of medicine
to
adapt
(paticularly neurology) resulted in the establishment of neuroplasticians equipped with newly discovered, research-based science that changed
forever the way we view our brains. Canadian Nursing Home
brain plasticity allows for significant improvements in cognitive functioning and prevention of
because
to new challenges. The proper understanding and application of new research may lead to improvement and/or preservation of memory among seniors and, subsequently, quality of life and enjoyment of activities of daily living.
Long-term care homes located in large urban centres often have a di17
Researchers can now observe creation of new memories soon learned their way around it. Another group was Scientists have witnessed a new memory being formed given a drug that is known to block the formation of for the first time, a breakthrough that's expected to pave
the way for mapping memories across the brain. Highresolution images show how connections between neighbouring brain cells changed when a memory was laid
down. memories. The last group was used as a control.
After the rats had time to learn their way around the
Ateam of psychologists from the University of California Irvine witnessed the memory being formed when a rat learned to navigateamaze andthe memory was 'written'
in
in the brain by changes to 1o,ooo synapses, the microscopic connections that allow nerve cells in the brain to
communicate. A synapse is roooth of a mm across. Three groups ofrats were used in the study. One group was let loose in a maze for periods of half an hour and
tiny part of the hippocampus, a region of the brain linked to memory and navigation. Within this region they were able to use fluorescent antibodies tohighlight nerve connections that had recently been strengthened. The scientists used a new technique called restorattue deconuolution microscopy to focus on one million slmapses. They found that t%" were enlarged, and had formed stronger connections with neighbouring brain
cells. (Journal ofNeuroscience - July 25,
of
tissue
in
zoo7).
of clients who require a unique approach and who bring a richness of life experiences and skills. Lincoln Place (Long-Term
verse population
Care Home) located in Toronto, recognized both the need to develop
clients were bilingual or multilingual including English, French, Hebrew, Yiddish, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian,
Hungarian, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Filipino (Tagalog), Japanese, Urdu, Arabic, Greek and Portuguese, to name a few
resident was identified. Other residents, feeling nostalgic because of limited opportunity to use French, were more than happY to share and instruct in that language.
Today, established groups of residents enjoy weekly language activities, having fun trying to pronounce new words and memorizing simPle phrases. Other programs, like "Basy with A, B, C" and "Let's Spelll' use
brain fitness activities to build on relatively preserved memory subsystems, as well as the unique skills
that residents were willing to share with others. This was complemented by the willingness of other clients to leam something completely new. The Programs staff at Lincoln Place, while designing new brain fitness ac-
willingness to teach others their language. After a short debate, clients participating in the Brain Fitness Program expressed a willingness to learn
French. With ease, a French-speaking
Simple mental activities were also introduced before and during other
programs, such as baking, where residents, while waiting for their creations to cook, would play with word origins, rhymes and word associations.
Cognitive programming
One of the important indications for designing cognitiveprogramming is
to learn something completely new. Whereas repetition of tasks mastered in the past (like playing a piano) may be beneficial in maintenance of that skill, it is the learning of something comto encourage clients
needed
The formerly held view that the brain was not a muscle and becomes somehow fixed after a period of
critical development, has been over-
I8
applies to other muscles of the body, namely "use it or loose itrtt also applies to the brain.
city)
conditions. These adult neural stem cells can make new neurons and glial cells. This discovery raises the prospect that neural stem cells could be hamessed to replace dying cells or to repair damaged neural circuits in the aging or diseased brain.
and migrate
well as
Many researchers are studying the fundamental biology of neurogenesis it may be linked to Alzheimer's disease. For example, researchers are currently examining whether abnormalities in neural stem cells might contribute to human disorders of leaming and memory including AD. If neurogenesis is impaired in AD, then it may be possible to develop
and how
observable major changes, while in others there are marked improvements. For some residents, maintaining memory functioning is the main
objective, while others are able to demonstrate their ability, not only to learn new things, but to show significant improvement.
Increasingly, nursing home residents are looking for something completely new, something that, perhaps because ofabusypast lifestyle (or any other
13,2003).
reason), never had the opportunity to try. When these opportunities are provided on a regular basis, and sup-
ported with new scientific research, the potential and on-going success
of
founded. I
is
nitively normal adults, shows that there are other risk factors we need to consider." It was pointed out that blood vessel damage in the brain is more likely to occur in those with high BP, high cholesterol or diabetes. "Since we know that prevention of
these conditions can lower risk of heart attack and stroke," she said, "it is likely that it would also lower
the risk of developing
exceptional work
of the
Nursing
and
AD."
I
19