MDLinx‘Neuroplasticity’ Could Transform Dementia Treatment

Neuroplasticity: A Promising Avenue for Neurodegenerative and Mental Health Treatments

Recent research highlights the potential of neuroplasticity in treating various neurological and mental health conditions. Neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new neural pathways, offers hope for patients with neurodegenerative diseases, developmental disorders, anxiety, and depression. This article examines the types of neuroplasticity, who can benefit from it, and various techniques to promote it, including brain stimulation, experimental therapies, and natural methods.

Key Points:

• Neuroplasticity involves functional and structural changes in the brain, including the formation of new neural pathways
• Structural neuroplasticity includes axonal sprouting, dendritic growth, and neurogenesis
• Functional neuroplasticity refers to changes in neural circuit organization, allowing undamaged areas to take over functions from damaged regions
• Neuroplasticity can benefit patients with:
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stroke
  • Neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis)
  • Developmental disorders (autism spectrum disorder, ADHD)
• Brain stimulation techniques to induce neuroplasticity include:
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
  • Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
  • Transcranial Electric Stimulation (TES)
• TMS is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression, migraines with aura, and obsessive-compulsive disorder
• DBS is used to reduce motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease and provides relief for medication-refractory cases of dystonia and epilepsy
• TES techniques (tDCS, tACS, tRNS) can improve memory, attention, and mental rotation, treat depressive symptoms, and enhance motor function recovery in stroke patients
• Experimental therapies for promoting neuroplasticity include:
  • Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)
  • Psychedelics (psilocybin and LSD)
• VR tools show potential in detecting prodromal Alzheimer’s disease
• Psychedelics promote neural plasticity in animal models by acting on serotonin 2A receptors
• Natural ways to promote neuroplasticity include:
  • Cognitive training and learning
  • Antioxidant-rich diet and omega-3 fatty acids
  • High-intensity interval training (HIIT)
  • Music training
  • Quality sleep
  • Stress management
  • Mindfulness meditation
• HIIT increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor, lactate, and vascular endothelial growth factor, promoting neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, and angiogenesis
• Music training can bring about structural and functional changes in the brain, positively affecting social bonding, cognitive abilities, and language processing

The human brain represents ~2% of body weight but accounts for ~25% of the body’s resting metabolic rate.

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