Strong Brain Blog

We all know that physical activity is good for your health, and so ought to help with aging. Reinforcing that, a new large-scale study has begun to quantify the extent to which physical activity slows the aging process, as measured by the lengths of telomeres in white blood cells: Exercise helps keep the telomeres longer. Links to an article about the work, together with the study itself, have been posted in both Physical Exercise and Aging:

Does Exercise Slow the Aging Process?

Movement-Based Behaviors and Leukocyte Telomere Length among US Adults.

A neat new proof of principle study carried out with a very well-studied worm (Caenorhabditis elegans) shows that it is possible to affect neurons using ultrasound. The worms, which admittedly have only 302 neurons, could be made to change their direction of crawl using low-frequency ultrasound. Links to a BBC article about the work, as well as to the published article itself, have been posted in Neuro-Psych:

Sound waves used to activate brain cells in a worm

Sonogenetics is a non-invasive approach to activating neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans

A new small study in Spain has again raised the possibility that there may be a microbial cause for Alzheimer’s, although it is much too early to draw any conclusions. Links to articles on the study, as well as a link to the published study, have been added to Alzheimers > Neurology & Neuroplasticity:

Fungus, the bogeyman

New Study Finds Link Between Fungus And Alzheimer’s

Different Brain Regions are Infected with Fungi in Alzheimer’s Disease

Resveratrol is an antioxidant found in chocolate, grapes and red wine. A recent study with over 100 patients in over 20 centers explored the use of highly concentrated resveratrol in pill form, equivalent to 1,000 bottles of red wine, with promising small-study results. A link to an article on the study has been posted in Alzheimers > Treatment:

For Alzheimer’s patients, resveratrol brings new hope

Two new studies reinforce earlier data on the value of the Mediterranean diet for your brain’s health. Links to the articles have been posted on Strong Brain in Health > Diet:

Why a Mediterranean diet is good for your brain A wealth of new research suggests foods rich with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can slow memory loss

Mediterranean diet linked to healthier aging brain …a Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish and healthy fats may preserve a more youthful brain in old age…