Showing posts with label Neuroscience. Show all posts

Start the day with a cup of green tea!





It has long been believed that drinking green tea is good for the memory.
Now researchers have discovered how the chemical properties of green tea affect the generation of brain cells, providing benefits for memory and spatial learning. 

 The study shows that, EGCG an organic chemical which is present in green tea increases the production of neural progenitor cells. 
This could be potentially useful in combating degenerative diseases and memory loss.

 You can read more about this research by clicking the link below

 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mnfr.201200035/abstract
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Angelman Syndrome




How laughing can be linked to a genetic disorder





These three children look happy and smiling but what you may not know is that, this is actually due to a disease condition called the "ANGEL MAN Syndrome".

Angel Man syndrome is a genetic condition which affects the nervous system. The disease is  rare occurring for about 1:12000 people throughout the world.
Children affected by Angel Man syndrome  typically have the following features.

1. They have a happy, excitable demeanor with frequent smiling, laughter, and hand-flapping movements.

2..Hyperactivity, a short attention span, and a fascination with water are common

3. Most affected children also have difficulty sleeping and need less sleep than usual.

Adults with Angelman syndrome have distinctive facial features that may be described as "coarse." Other common features include unusually fair skin with light-colored hair and an abnormal side-to-side curvature of the spine (scoliosis). The life expectancy of people with this condition appears to be nearly normal.

There is no specific therapy for Angelman syndrome. Medical therapy for seizures is usually necessary. Physical and occupational therapies, communication therapy, and behavioral therapies are important in allowing individuals with Angelman syndrome to reach their maximum developmental potential.
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13 brains


13 amazing brains


The diversity and mysteriousness of the amazing brain in these creatures range from,brains of spiders which split and spill into legs, to brains that are  tiny,complex and beyond our comprehension.

These animals may probably have the most strange and interesting brains in the world.

http://webecoist.momtastic.com/2012/02/06/amazing-animal-brains-13-fascinating-neurological-facts/
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The disease that erases your memory



The disease that erases your memory

Did you know that many people above the age of 60 have a high risk of getting the disease and that there is no known cure for it yet?

How does a person actually become affected by this Alzheimer's? The disease is of genetic origin and sometimes environmental factors play a role in the progress of the disease. There are namely four genes which are responsible in the onset of AD. These are,

1. Beta amyloid precursor protein
2. PSEN 1 ( Presenilin 1)
3. PSEN 2 (Presenilnin 2)
4. APOE

Which when altered form proteins called plaques and tangles which spread through the brain causing disruption of the neurons.This slow but gradual spreading of these proteins cause patients to

1. Tend to forget things easily
2. Have difficultly in language skills
3. Lose the ability of logical thinking
4. Start having extreme mood swings
5. Loss of complete memory
6. Finally die due to the damage done to the breathing centers of the brain(Medulla)

What do we do when we encounter a person who has Alzheimer disease?

PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH THEM AND CARE FOR THEM and GIVE ALL YOUR LOVE TOWARDS THEM.
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The fear of People

The fear of People


Do you recall the silent shy kid in your class room? The co worker or a group mate/ friend who would be terrified to talk on a meeting, would be completely in utter silence if he/she was asked to give an opinion of something? surely we have met them and we have our selves gone through and experienced shyness. But for some people.... shyness goes way beyond what you could ever imagine. They stay silently in fear and anguish unable to explain what they are going through. They are the people who are suffering from a type of phobia, the fear of people or in other words Social Anxiety

People who suffer from social anxiety are extremely self conscience and extremely anxious through most  day to day normal activities such as going to the grocery. writing a check front of a cashier, Walking in the streets, talking to a person, attending parties etc. They are in intense constant, persistent, chronic fear of being judged by people and becoming embarrassed. People affected with this condition often end up being depressed.

Some children who are affected by social anxiety are quiet in class, and academically sound. These children are often labelled as model students by their teachers and therefore their condition often goes unrecognized and untreated causing mayhem in the later stages of their lives. A famous person who suffered from social anxiety is T.S Elliot who is a renowned poet.

The most usual  words you would hear from a person suffering from social anxiety are " I will look like a fool", " Everyone will laugh at me"
"I don't think  I can do it", I will completely mess it up" "I will be a wreck" are some of it.

The causes of this condition are psychological and biological. There is some evidence that suggests that genetic factors also play a role in this condition.

Can this condition be treated? Yes it can, but not completely. The condition when severe can be treated by a method called cognitive behavioral therapy. The problem we have today is the lack of awareness people have on this condition. It is therefore important to spread awareness so that people will know and understand Social anxiety and help people who suffer from this condition, and be a part of making them lead a happy productive life.
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