Out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology comes a neurological innovation that has the potential of treating and reversing Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Bringing Gamma Back is a 24 minute RadioLab broadcast includes an interview of MIT Neuroscience Professor Dr. Li-Huei Tsai describing her breakthrough non-invasive Alzheimer’s treatment.
Shortcut: Video #1
The following 3 definitions will help make the most of Radiolab interview and MIT Brain Mind Summit Video #1:
1. Brain neurons conduct electro-chemical signals or nerve impulses that are the foundation of memory and learning, and make us unique in the ways we learn, think and act.
For more click HERE. This is an excellent introduction to Neurons.
2. Glia: In addition to neurons, the brain is also made up of glial cells (neuroglia). Different types of neuroglia provide brain neurons with
a. oxygen and nutrients.
b. Glial cells also support and insulate neurons in the brain, while destroying pathogens, and removing cellular debris.
3. Gamma waves. Were you hooked up to an EEG (electro encephalograph) you'd be able to see your brain activity in the form of wave patterns as seem below.
Beta waves characterize your brain activity while awake.
Delta waves dominate deep dreamless sleep.
Figure 1
A decline in Gamma wave activity is correlated with the onset of Alzeheimer's Disease. One might ask: does impaired Gamma activity cause AZ? or does AZ cause a drop in Gamma wave activity? Research is ramping up.
Recent studies show impaired glial cell activity in the earliest stages of Alzheimer's disease. Glia are responsible for brain housekeeping. (see 4 & 6 below)
Dr. Li-Huei Tsai's work shows that those off task glial cells can be stimulated and recruited back to their housekeeping work again using light and other sensory stimuli flickering at 40 cycles per second.
Remembering that glial cells are tasked with destroying pathogens and removing cellular debris (beta amyloid and tau molecules) that build up causing Alzheimer's Disease, it is possible to envision glial cell recruitment combating the effects of this disease.
Beta-amyloid and Tau accumulation on and between neurons in Alzheimer’s Disease
Tsai's research used in AZ treatment is particularly interesting since it is as non-invasive as lights flickering on a Christmas tree.
The MIT Clinical Trial is active/non recruiting.
Click HERE for MIT ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE CLINICAL TRIAL information and details.
If you know of someone with AD, become familiar with MIT's Clinical Trials for future openings.
2. Glia: In addition to neurons, the brain is also made up of glial cells (neuroglia). Different types of neuroglia provide brain neurons with
a. oxygen and nutrients.
b. Glial cells also support and insulate neurons in the brain, while destroying pathogens, and removing cellular debris.
3. Gamma waves. Were you hooked up to an EEG (electro encephalograph) you'd be able to see your brain activity in the form of wave patterns as seem below.
Beta waves characterize your brain activity while awake.
Delta waves dominate deep dreamless sleep.
A decline in Gamma wave activity is correlated with the onset of Alzeheimer's Disease. One might ask: does impaired Gamma activity cause AZ? or does AZ cause a drop in Gamma wave activity? Research is ramping up.
Now you're in an informed position to listen to: Bringing Gamma Back interview of MIT Neuroscience Professor Dr. Li-Huei Tsai describing her breakthrough non-invasive Alzheimer’s treatment. When you have an hour in your day, listen to this important broadcast ... take notes. We’ll talk later.
Now that you've heard Dr. Li-Huei Tsai, the following back round chapter will fill in the blanks. Save your notes for the next time we get together, I'll go over them with you if you have any questions.
Figure 2
Recent studies show impaired glial cell activity in the earliest stages of Alzheimer's disease. Glia are responsible for brain housekeeping. (see 4 & 6 below)
Figure 3
Dr. Li-Huei Tsai's work shows that those off task glial cells can be stimulated and recruited back to their housekeeping work again using light and other sensory stimuli flickering at 40 cycles per second.
Remembering that glial cells are tasked with destroying pathogens and removing cellular debris (beta amyloid and tau molecules) that build up causing Alzheimer's Disease, it is possible to envision glial cell recruitment combating the effects of this disease.
Figure 4
Figure 5
Tsai's research used in AZ treatment is particularly interesting since it is as non-invasive as lights flickering on a Christmas tree.
The MIT Clinical Trial is active/non recruiting.
Click HERE for MIT ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE CLINICAL TRIAL information and details.
If you know of someone with AD, become familiar with MIT's Clinical Trials for future openings.
By The Numbers. The human brain: 100 billion neurons*
How many glial cells? The popular convention is that we have 10 times
Ben Barres of Stanford University takes a different approach: that glia make up at least 80 percent of the cells in the human brain.
as many glial cells as neurons. But recent research points toward a 1:1 ratio.
Ben Barres of Stanford University takes a different approach: that glia make up at least 80 percent of the cells in the human brain.
This is important because glia also perform the vital housekeeping chores for the brain like sanitation workers picking up and disposing of the garbage. Imagine when New York City Sanitation Workers went on strike, the garbage piled up to 6 feet on city streets and escalated into a health crisis. Click here for video.
In the human brain, this glial housekeeping duty disposes of products like beta amyloid and tau that contribute to Alzheimer’s.
Key Point #1: Different types of neuroglia provide brain neurons with
1. oxygen and 2. nutrients,
3. glial cells support and 4. insulate neurons in the brain, while
5. destroying pathogens, and 6. removing cellular debris.
Key Point #2: Alzheimer's Disease (AD) develops when glial cells begin to fail in their neuro-protective functions (numbers 5 and 6 above).
1. oxygen and 2. nutrients,
3. glial cells support and 4. insulate neurons in the brain, while
5. destroying pathogens, and 6. removing cellular debris.
Key Point #2: Alzheimer's Disease (AD) develops when glial cells begin to fail in their neuro-protective functions (numbers 5 and 6 above).
Blausen.com staff (2014). "Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014". WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436.
*(Kandel et al., 2000; Ullian et al., 2001; Doetsch, 2003; Nishiyama et al.)
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There is a physical interaction between microglia and neuronal synapses, these glia may directly respond to neurons 66, 67
Electrical synapses (gap junctions) are also thought to exist between neurons and glia, as well as between glia.
SEE GAMMA WAVE Wikipedia (insert into blog right column for definitions)
ALSO RESEARCH CLINICAL TRIALS
There is a physical interaction between microglia and neuronal synapses, these glia may directly respond to neurons 66, 67
Electrical synapses (gap junctions) are also thought to exist between neurons and glia, as well as between glia.
68 Thus, neurons that are involved in sensory evoked gamma and are electrically coupled to glia may directly recruit glial activity.
https://www.cell.com/trends/neurosciences/fulltext/S0166-2236(19)30202-4SEE GAMMA WAVE Wikipedia (insert into blog right column for definitions)
ALSO RESEARCH CLINICAL TRIALS
Video #2 shows the importance of Glial cells and Astrocytes in the brain responsible for clearing waste products from brain activity and shows how their diminishing gamma wave function contributes to Alzheimers.... Click HERE for an excellent NIH video ... complete with a transcript.
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/video-how-alzheimers-changes-brain?utm_source=ADvideo&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=rightrail
Combine the 100 billion neurons, and 100 billion glial cells ... you arrive at the Human Brain. According to one neuroscientist, 80% of the brain's volume derives from glial cells.
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