Neurotransmitters

Brain Science:

In our last message we mentioned that we would talk about what is happening at the biochemical level.  This will help us understand what strategies might work in preserving memory and brain function.

All of the analyzing and filtering of your perceptions occur using the brain’s language of electricity and chemical messengers. As you already know, nerve cells connect with other cells at an end point called a synapses. As electrical impulses cross these small spaces a chemical is released that serves as facilitator messengers, or in electrical terms, a conductor. Once these conductors are released it is easier for the impulse to pass. This creates an easier pathway for the memory. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters. Examples are dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine.  The nerve cell segment that receives these signals, as we have discussed, is the dendrites. This is how brain cells connect. This is how networks are formed.

Suffice it to say, your memory is in a constant state of change. The ability of the brain to create new dendrites, even weak ones, is called plasticity. It is extremely important for the brain to maintain its placidity.

Brain facts:

    •    Your brain has trillions of synapses.

    •    You grow dendrites as you create new memories.

    •    With the help of neurotransmitters, the more often a particular signal is sent across the synopsis the stronger, more conductive, the connection grows.

    •    Unused dendrites start to wither away fairly quickly. Luckily, once created it is easier to rebuild them than to create new dendrites.

    •    In 2019 Scientists discovered “forgetting” neurons. These neurons actually cause the brain to eliminate memory neurons. That is important because your brain would overload. Scientists have also discovered they are more active during sleep.

    •    Memory speed and accuracy naturally begin to slip in our twenties, especially our working memory that holds information temporarily in the mind so we can get through the day and make good decisions.

    •    The transfer allowed by Neurotransmitters is critical to the transfer of information in the brain.

So What:

·         Did you ever hear the expression “brain overload”, turns out that can really happen? Forgetting neurons to the rescue!

·         With trillions of neurons, critical amounts of neurotransmitter chemicals are needed, billions of neuro networks are created, plaque can build up around synapses, for the brain to function a constant exchange between short and long term memory has to take place, dendrites are constantly being increased and decreased, forgetting neurons must be active and work.What can possibly go wrong!

·         Answer: A lot!!!!!!!! We will look at some reasons for cognitive decline. We will also talk about the miracle appearing things the brain can do to preserve cognition.