Science Forums 2

[maikeru]

Originally Posted by Michaelangelica

Funny I have never been able to run, a 100yd sprint maybe, but never anything long.

I think there are different exercises that can accomodate anyone's preferences or body type. I just like running, I guess. Always have since I was a kid, although I wasn't able to train more until the last year. Since then, it's been a regular part of my exercise.

So you have heard of NGF?
Whats BDNF?
Checked your link, fascinating site. Strange however that they have no papers on herbs or plants for Alzheimer's
Alzforum: Live Discussions: BDNF and Alzheimer's Disease—What's the Connection?

I know a little bit about them. I'm not very knowledgeable about their exact physiological effects on neurons, but from what I've gleaned, they're very important and work in concert to help neurons grow, stay alive, and improve function. Where the concentration of these neural growth factors is high, neurons act more healthy, resist damage better, fire stronger impulses, and grow more dendrites and control them better--which all translates into better health and performance for the brain.

I've come across stories like this one:

Neuron Savers: Gene therapy slows Alzheimer's disease: Science News Online, April 30, 2005

Where they took skin cells, genetically modified them to produce extra NGF, then implanted them in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. The treatment helped to slow the degeneration.

I came across more information about the relationship between neural growth factors, learning, exercise, etc. when I was trying to check for natural methods to relieve depression, which I was suffering at the time. (I feel quite fine now, though. Much more like my old self and never so good. ) It seems that many things which ail the brain may work through common mechanisms or may stem from common causes.

One more strange thing about NGF is that it's also found in saliva. It gives a whole new meaning to the old phrase to "lick one's wounds."

IngentaConnect Nerve growth factor concentration in human saliva
Entrez PubMed

Been drinking herb tea all day since last post

Keep on drinking it and others. It may do you more good than you realize:

BBC NEWS | Health | Green tea compound Alzheimer hope
Neuroscience for Kids - Tea and Alzheimer's Disease
Entrez PubMed
Entrez PubMed

Blueberry vs. Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases:

Entrez PubMed
CNN.com - Wild Blue - Aug 2, 2006 (Last part of the article.)
Reversals of Age-Related Declines in Neuronal Signal Transduction, Cognitive, and Motor Behavioral Deficits with Blueberry, Spinach, or Strawberry Dietary Supplementation -- Joseph et al. 19 (18): 8114 -- Journal of Neuroscience

Red wine (resveratrol) vs. Alzheimer's:

ScienceDaily: Compound In Wine Reduces Levels Of Alzheimer's Disease-causing Peptides

Cocoa vs. Alzheimer's:

Some cocoa may improve brain blood flow | Jerusalem Post (Eat chocolate and die, amyloid plaques.)

So there might be a few ways of reducing the risk or getting around it. Some populations don't seem to have high rates of Alzheimer's disease, and it may be due to diet and habits rather than genetics. I think genetics does play a part, but exercise, diet, and habits maybe more so. I don't think the population genetics of Western countries has changed all that much in a few generations, but our habits, diets, and fitness demonstrably have, and perhaps it's no coincidence that risk factors for Alzheimer's are many of the same risk factors for heart disease, strokes, or other forms of dementia.

I'm not a neuroscientist or doctor, though, so don't take my speculation for fact. I know very little about the brain, although neuroscience interests me a lot. Someday I'll get some neuroscience textbooks and learn more about it straight from the sources.

Thank you for the article on BDNF as well! Learnin', learnin', learnin'. Gotta crank out more NGF, BDNF, and others to accomodate that new info.