The Neuro-Protective Lifestyle

photo credit: Khazaei
Can’t see the forest for the tree(s)? You might be a savant in the making. Weak central coherence theory seeks to explain the distinct savant ability to focus on details rather than being distracted by the “big picture“. When you combine the above traits with “overconnectivity” and unbalanced excitatory-inhibitory neural networks, you have all the makings of the savant brain.

While most savants are made, not born, genetic tendencies have a role to play — at least in mice. Genetically engineered mice lacking the ability to synthesize the protein SHANK1 learn at an accelerated rate compared to normal mice. The SHANK1 protein is responsible for building synapses–the junction where all brain communication takes place.

But what if instead of messing with someone’s genetic make-up (we don’t want to be genetically engineering people now do we?), a more convenient method existed to tap into innate savant abilities?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) utilizes rapidly changing magnetic fields to induce electric fields in the brain by electromagnetic induction. No surgery, no electrodes no mess, just a really sophisticated magnet that is able to coax a population of neurons in the neocortex to depolarize and discharge an action potential.

TMS is still under intensive study as a relatively non-invasive way of treating resistant forms of depression, migraine, seizure disorders, tinnitus, ALS and MS to name just a few.

For an intriguing yet fun demonstration, watch how the person in the following video consents to having his speech center “turned off” with careful application of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.

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On the morning of December 10th, 1996 Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, Harvard intellectual and neuroanatomist, suffered a massive hemorrhagic stroke that damaged her left-hemisphere seemingly beyond hope of recovery. Now no longer restrained by the constant chatter originating in her left hemisphere, her newly liberated right-hemisphere opened the door to instant nirvana.

Dr. Taylor spent the next eight years recovering her ability to walk, talk and speak. Watch and listen as a respected scientist vividly describes her “Stroke Of Insight”.

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photo credit: Francesca:Nocella

If you think that’s hard, try the original title from the current issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences:
“Luteolin reduces IL-6 production in microglia by inhibiting JNK phosphorylation and activation of AP-1″

*Division of Nutritional Sciences, Integrative Immunology and Behavior Program, Department of Animal Sciences, and Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, 1207 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801

Regardless of how you say it, foods full of flavonoids (such as the luteolin in celery), fight neuroinflammation faster than aspirin. No, I just made that up about the aspirin, but the science is still very, very convincing.

In this study, brave mice were given an intraperitoneal (inside the abdomen) injection of lipopolysachharide (LPS) to stimulate the production of brain damaging inflammatory mediators.

Three weeks earlier researchers had replaced the study animals regular water with water “spiked” with luteolin, a protective flavonoid found in especially high concentrations in celery. At different time intervals they evaluated blood samples to precisely measure the amount of proinflammatory cytokines - chemicals responsible for neuroinflammation.

You’ll remember that neuroinflammation is the hallmark of common neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s and others.

Chronic inflammation anywhere in the body can contribute to disease and the brain is no exception.

Three weeks worth of luteolin spiked water, dramatically reduced the amount of inflammation present in hippocampus of the study animals, confirming the neuroprotective properties of simple celery.

Practically speaking, a human would have to consume 47 servings of celery per day to replicate the concentration of luteolin found in the animals drinking water.

Do not despair however, since flavonoids are found in abundance in many many foods. There are in fact over 4,000 aromatic compounds found in tea, honey, wine, fruits, vegetables, nuts, olive oil, cocoa and others.

For a more complete list see “Eat Your Antioxidants - Or Else”.

A daily intake of a gram or more of a variety of bioflavonoids is a reasonable dietary goal.

Soooooo when you’re out grocery shopping be courteous and save some celery for the next person.

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