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Neurogenesis, Neuroplasticity, and Your Future Brain

December 17th, 2009

This will be presented at the Integrative HealthCare Symposium in February, 2010

Neurogenesis, Neuroplasticity, and Your Future Brain
By David Perlmutter, MD, FACN, ABIHM

The concept of the fixed immutable human brain has now been relegated to the archives of ideas once believed. Current neuroscience validates the concept of an ever dynamic brain from both structural and functional perspectives with preservation of plasticity as well as the process of generating new and fully functional neurons persisting throughout the human lifespan.

This presentation will first detail the history of the paradigm shift to this new and revolutionary understanding of the human brain. It will then explore the various modifiable influences including caloric restriction, physical and mental exercise and specific nutrients which, through amplification of BDNF expression, enhance the process of neurogenesis, the growth of new brain cells. The inhibitory effects of stress in this process will also be presented. Neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to rewire itself, will then be explored with an in depth discussion of the functional changes imparted in areas of the brain thought to subserve such human attributes as empathy, compassion and intuition brought about by the practice of meditation.

The Mitochondria Quotation

November 7th, 2009

Mitochondria provide us life sustaining energy, and that energy is derived from the divine feminine.

David Perlmutter, MD, FACN

Dr. Perlmutter to Address First International Alzheimer’s Symposium in Monaco

November 3rd, 2009

I am greatly honored to be invited to address the First International Congress on Alzheimer’s in Monaco under the Patronage of HRH Prince Albert II of Monaco.

Here is a letter from the president of the organization:

Despite the Billions of dollars spent annually to cure this disease,
Alzheimer’s claims over 1 in 10 people over the age of 65 and represents
a growing threat in the backdrop of an aging population. In fact, it is
expected to claim over half of the people over 85 in coming years.
Coincidentally, the past twenty years have seen substantial advances
in the Neurosciences and allied fields. These major contributions, from
the discovery of human stem cells in areas affected by Alzheimer’s to
the sequencing of the Human Genome, have given rise to new tools,
which are ripe for applications to the fi eld Alzheimer’s. It is high time
to introduce researchers responsible for these fi ndings to the Alzheimer’s community. In this
spirit, we have convened some of the world’s most daring and innovative researchers to share
their insights in the form of an international summit with Alzheimer’s as a leitmotiv, held in the
Principality of Monaco in February 2010.
I am grateful to Prince Albert II of Monaco, Madame Catherine Pastor of AMPA and First Lady
Bernadette Chirac for the invitation to create this event and for recognizing the need to develop
completely novel strategies against Alzheimer’s growing menace. Our “Meeting of the Minds”
will be an interactive, interdisciplinary and international event at the forefront of academic,
governmental and industrial research with speakers representing a confluence of fi elds including
Stem Cell Research, Neurobiology, Artificial Intelligence, and Telemedicine.
I look forward to welcoming you next February, for a truly world-class – and unforgettable –
event.
Sincerely,
Dr. Philip Low
Founder, Chairman & CEO, NeuroVigil, Inc.
Adjunct Professor, Stanford School of Medicine
Visiting Professor, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology

The True Health Emergency

October 29th, 2009

As readers are no doubt aware, the H1N1 (swine) flu has now been described as a “national health emergency.” And this is because this influenza is expected to claim approximately 50,000 American lives.
Smoking claims ten times as many American lives each year – 500,000, and yet there’s no comment from government. The silence is overwhelming. Business as usual with perverse priorities.

An Ounce of Prevention

September 17th, 2009

By David Perlmutter, MD,FACN, ABIHM

What can we do to protect our brains? With the release of the 2009 report from the Alzheimer’s Association showing that 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease with a new case diagnosed every 70 seconds, more and more people want to know if there really are any meaningful preventive strategies for this devastating condition now costing $148 billion annually.

Perhaps not so remarkable is the fact that many of the same lifestyle recommendations made to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease also apply to reducing risk for Alzheimer’s. Why this is not so surprising is because these two diseases are remarkably similar in that they both involve inflammation. This may explain why being overweight represents a significant risk for both diseases as excess body fat actually turns on the genes that increase inflammation.

Research now clearly defines an increased risk of up to 300% for Alzheimer’s in comparing obese individuals to those of normal weight. What’s more, obesity is now also recognized as a powerful yet modifiable risk factor for Parkinson’s disease, now affecting well over one million Americans.

Both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases are devastating brain disorders for which there is no cure. The research showing a strong relationship with obesity gives us at least one tool to build a preventive medicine program for brain health. In this case, rather than “an ounce of prevention,” we need to focus on pounds.