The Brain of a Superager

 Superagers are adults ages 80 and older who tend to retain their brain health and cognition.  A new study found that superagers also grow more neurons than other older adults.  

A recent study focusing on neurogenesis, showed that the brains of superagers have the unique ability to form new neurons from neural stem cells.  The study analyzed brain samples from healthy young adults, healthy older adults, adults with mild dementia, adults with Alzheimer's, and superagers.  Scientists found first, that hippocampal neurogenesis-the creation of new neurons in the hippocampus, happens in healthy human adults.  They also discovered that superagers tended to make more new neurons when compared to other adult groups.

For a long time, the adult brain was seen as relatively fixed.  This study provides strong biological evidence for what we hope to be true, that the brain has a capacity for renewal.  The study also validates the lifestyle-based advice that doctors give their patients everyday.  Exercise and lifelong learning support brain health.  The study suggests that these activities aren't just keeping the brain "busy," but may be directly influencing the biological machinery that promotes the growth of new neurons and build resilience against decline.

Habits that support hippocampal health include consistent aerobic exercies, following a brain healthy diet like the Mediterranean diet, continuing to learn and staying socially engaged, and getting enough sleep.  Doing these things does not guarantee strong brain health, but for now, it's what most doctors and researchers feel gives our best possibility for a healthy brain.

Am I as Good as AI?

 As I sit here at my computer thinking about a topic to write about this week, I'm thinking about how AI has taken over many tasks that required me to think.  I decided to try an experiment.  I picked a very simple topic, and what follows will be the one paragraph I wrote to answer the question.  Then, I will tell you what AI wrote on the very same topic.  You be the judge.  Am I as good as AI?

Topic:  How to bring happiness to your morning (written by me)

I get up each morning with great anticipation for what the world has in store for me.  My happiness depends largely on me, and how I approach the world.  A beautiful home, fine clothes and a fancy car may give me a moment of happiness, but YOU must create your own happiness.  I plan my day.  (If you know me well, you know I already had the day planned long ago).  Happiness is a state of mind, and everyone will find happiness in a different way.  I try to start the day with a 30 minute walk.  That makes me happy.  Even though I am walking solo now (my buddy Pepper passed away), I am happy.  I may see the sunrise, and I will likely see friends and strangers who make me smile.  I call my mom, just to see if she's ok.  That makes me happy.  As I eat breakfast and catch up on over night news (which is mostly depressing), I look around the my house.  I smile.  I look at the many works of art I have hanging on the walls, and the souvenirs I have brought home from my many travels, and I feel happy, and think about my next adventure.  

Topic:  How to bring happiness to your morning (written by AI)

Creating a happy morning routine can gently set the tone for the entire day.  A key is a few simple habits that wake up the body, calm the mind, and give you something to look forward to.

1.  Start with light and fresh air

2.  Move your body (stretching, walk, yoga)

3  Have a small ritual you enjoy (a good cup of coffee, read a book, listen to music, write in a journal)

4.  Practice a minute of gratitude

5.  step away from news and e-mails early in the day

6.  plan one pleasant thing for the day 

After reading these two pieces on the same topic, I came to the conclusion that they are really similar.  My writing is more personal.  I talk about exercise, socialization, gratitude, planning my day, fresh air, just as AI did, but with examples from my own life.  For now, I'll keep writing my own words, and I will always tell you if I've used AI.

Precision Medicine is a Fast Growing Field of Medicine

Pharmacogenomic, or precision medicine, is a fast growing medical field that might keep doctors from over or under prescribing medications.  Here's how it works.  Doctors take a simple cheek swab to collect DNA that might help predict how patients' genes may influence their response to medications. From your DNA, your reaction to a drug, before you actually take it, can be determined. 

Common medications that the field of precision medicine helps with include heart and blood (thinners and cholesterol drugs), mental health (antidepressants and anti-anxiety), pain control (codeine), GI (acid reflux).

For years I have been asking myself this question, "Why does a doctor prescribe the same dosage  for a 100 pound woman as for a 200 pound man?"  That didn't make sense.  Using precision medicine this is less likely to occur.

A real life example of what this means is as follows.  Two people take the same antidepressant, one feels better, the other gets side effects or no benefit.  You may have a gene that metabolizes fast, while someone else may be a slow metabolizer and have side effects.

Bottom line, we are all individuals and with the growth of precision medicine, or personalized medicine, we are more likely to get the right dose.

Some of  precision medicine procedures are covered by insurance, so it's necessary to check this out.  As always, discuss personalized medicine with your health professional.  It may or may not be right for you.

Borrego Springs is Hot!

 The years go by, and I've never gotten to Borrego Springs to see the wildflowers, so I vowed this year to make it happen.  I got to Borrego Springs at the time which should have been the right time, but sadly, we were about 10 days too late.  I thought that because of all the rain this year we would have a super bloom, but unfortunately what happened was the flowers bloomed early, and then burnt to a crisp when the blazing heat came a few weeks ago.  Never fear.  We always find something to do.

We stayed at the Borrego Springs Resort, just about 5 minutes from Christmas Circle, the center of town.  Although the hotel was less than half full, the woman at the front desk would not let us check in until 3pm.  So, we went to Carlee's for lunch.  It was delicious.  One of the best burgers I've had in a long time, great homemade potato chips, and a greek salad.  Yum.  

Next, we got out our trusty map and went looking for some of the 130 sculptures created by self-taught artist Ricardo Breceda between 2008 and 2012.  Known as Galleta Meadows, Breceda was commissioned by the late philanthropist Dennis Avery, to create the sculptures, and they sit on land donated by Avery.  They are prehistoric creatures, fantasy creatures, farm workers, birds and many other animals.  They are really something to see.

Did you know that Borrego Springs is one of only a few Dark Sky Communities in America?  (I think there are about 30 in the U.S.).  This means that the community is required to reduce the lighting to help people look up and see the universe above.  It was awesome.  We had a map of the stars, but knowing very little, we did not really know what we were looking at.  Often  there are star gazing parties, or astronomers that help people learn what they're looking at.

I was told that sunrise in Borrego Springs would be around 7am, so I got up early to make sure I did not miss it.  The sunrise was a delightful surprise to our trip.  

Next time someone tells you there's nothing to do in Borrego Springs, don't believe them.  So many hikers, walkers, lovers of nature.  I highly recommend it.

To top things off, we stopped in Julian on the way home for a piece of pie.  A perfect ending to a perfect trip.