Adult neural stem cells, pictured here, play an important role in the formation of neurons critical to brain function and behavior. Animal studies have shown that without them object recognition, spatial memory, and pattern separation functions are inhibited.
That is great science to know. But, we can apply this knowledge in practical ways to support brain health. There are at least three proven things you can do today to dramatically affect the rate at which new neurons are formed:
Get Physically Active
Enrich Your Environment
Embrace Learning
Meanwhile there are at least three things that can have the opposite affect:
Sensory Deprivation
Stress
Certain Types of Inflammation
Now go out and emphasize the positive things you can do and eliminate the negatives.
(The photo was taken in the lab of David Schaffer at the University of California, Berkeley.)
