By way of a Friday medical spot there appears to be good news for those of us who worry about all those brain cells we have destroyed down the years by fun and abuse – good news even for those who have lost so many they are no longer capable of worrying. The little buggers can seemingly grow back, although it may be a case of use them or lose them, so get to thinking real hard, brothers and sisters.
"In the 1990s scientists rocked the field of neurobiology with the startling news that the mature mammalian brain is capable of sprouting new neurons. Biologists had long believed that this talent for neurogenesis was reserved for young, developing minds and was lost with age. But in the early part of the decade Elizabeth Gould, then at the Rockefeller University, demonstrated that new cells arise in the adult brain - particularly in a region called the hippocampus, which is involved in learning and memory.
Fresh neurons arise in the brain every day. ... Recent work, albeit mostly in rats, indicates that learning enhances the survival of new neurons in the adult brain, and the more engaging and challenging the problem, the greater the number of neurons that stick around. These neurons are then presumably available to aid in situations that tax the mind. It seems, then, that a mental workout can buff up the brain, much as physical exercise builds up the body. – Tracey J. Shors, "Saving New Brain Cells," Scientific American
And in a less cheerful medical item, I note that former President Bill Clinton was in Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. He had chest pains and went to the hospital and got a stent. He was expected to spend the night there. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reported that Clinton had been having chest pains. Clinton is 63 years old. I’m 66 years old and when I have chest pains I take an aspirin and hope I don’t die. In a system where insurance companies calculate cost points at which treatment for children with cancer is denied, I’m precluded from coverage by an existing condition that I've had since I was a toddler. Such is the way of it with healthcare in the USA. I may have to move back to England and the evils of single payer socialism if I want to live to see the end of the world in 2012.
And now click here for the Rolling Stones' “Dear Doctor”. It’s ironic and it’s from the 1960s. Anyone got a problem with that?
The secret word is Medication
"In the 1990s scientists rocked the field of neurobiology with the startling news that the mature mammalian brain is capable of sprouting new neurons. Biologists had long believed that this talent for neurogenesis was reserved for young, developing minds and was lost with age. But in the early part of the decade Elizabeth Gould, then at the Rockefeller University, demonstrated that new cells arise in the adult brain - particularly in a region called the hippocampus, which is involved in learning and memory.
Fresh neurons arise in the brain every day. ... Recent work, albeit mostly in rats, indicates that learning enhances the survival of new neurons in the adult brain, and the more engaging and challenging the problem, the greater the number of neurons that stick around. These neurons are then presumably available to aid in situations that tax the mind. It seems, then, that a mental workout can buff up the brain, much as physical exercise builds up the body. – Tracey J. Shors, "Saving New Brain Cells," Scientific American
And in a less cheerful medical item, I note that former President Bill Clinton was in Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. He had chest pains and went to the hospital and got a stent. He was expected to spend the night there. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reported that Clinton had been having chest pains. Clinton is 63 years old. I’m 66 years old and when I have chest pains I take an aspirin and hope I don’t die. In a system where insurance companies calculate cost points at which treatment for children with cancer is denied, I’m precluded from coverage by an existing condition that I've had since I was a toddler. Such is the way of it with healthcare in the USA. I may have to move back to England and the evils of single payer socialism if I want to live to see the end of the world in 2012.
And now click here for the Rolling Stones' “Dear Doctor”. It’s ironic and it’s from the 1960s. Anyone got a problem with that?
The secret word is Medication
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4 comments:
"It’s ironic and it’s from the 1960s. Anyone got a problem with that?"
Right on, Mickey. We were right, we were right, we were right. Do I get small satisfaction out of this?
Yes, I fucking do.
I'll never understand the health care situation here. I've sat and listened to people sit and bitch about how the insurance company has done nothing but fuck them, stop covering vital medication they need, and how they can't afford to get sick, but, "by hell, I don't want no damn socialized medicine."
It's utterly mind-numbingly moronic.
You wont always live if you rely on the NHS Mick...as I know to my cost
I'm 61 and my body's been off-warranty since '05 but until that first shovelful hits my face I'll continue to turn the kiddies on to the music I was nourished by and take due pleasure in hearing them say "Holy Fuck! That was great!"
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