health & wellness
Brain Aging
Weizmann researchers find evidence of
"link" to slow or reverse cognitive decline.
H
ow the brain ages is still largely an
open question — in part because
this organ is mostly insulated
from direct contact with other systems in
the body, including the blood and immune
systems.
In research recently published in Science
magazine, Rehovot, Israel-based Weizmann
Institute of Science researchers Professor
Michal Schwartz of the Neurobiology
Department and Dr. Ido Amit of the
Immunology Department found evidence
of a unique "signature" that may be the
"missing link' between cognitive decline
and aging.
The scientists believe this discovery may
lead, in the future, to treatments that can
slow or reverse cognitive decline in older
people.
Until a decade ago, scientific dogma held
that the blood-brain barrier prevents the
blood-borne immune cells from attacking
and destroying brain tissue. Yet in a long
series of studies, Schwartz's group had
shown that the immune system actually
plays an important role both in healing
the brain after injury and in maintaining
the brain's normal functioning. They have
found that this brain-immune interaction
occurs across a barrier that is actually a
unique interface within the brain's territory.
This interface, known as the choroid
plexus, is found in each of the brain's four
ventricles, and it separates the blood from
the cerebrospinal fluid.
"The choroid plexus acts as a 'remote
control' for the immune system to affect
brain activity:' Schwartz said. "Biochemical
`danger' signals released from the brain
are sensed through this interface; in turn,
blood-borne immune cells assist by com-
municating with the choroid plexus. This
cross-talk is important for preserving cog-
nitive abilities and promoting the genera-
tion of new brain cells:'
This finding led Schwartz and her group
to suggest that cognitive decline over
the years may be connected not only to
one's "chronological age" but also to one's
"immunological age:' that is, changes in
immune function over time might con-
tribute to changes in brain function — not
necessarily in step with the count of one's
years.
To test this theory, Schwartz and
research students Kuti Baruch and
Aleksandra Deczkowska teamed with Amit
and his research group in the Immunology
Department. The researchers used next-
generation sequencing technology to map
changes in gene expression in 11 different
organs, including the choroid plexus, in
both young and aged mice, to identify and
compare pathways involved in the aging
process.
That is how they identified a strikingly
unique "signature of aging" that exists
solely in the choroid plexus — not in the
other organs. They discovered that one of
the main elements of this signature was
interferon beta, a protein the body nor-
mally produces to fight viral infection. This
protein appears to have a negative effect on
the brain: When the researchers injected an
antibody that blocks interferon beta activ-
Ask Dr. Vieder
•
Er
The choroid
plexus in the
brain acts as an
interface.
ity into the cerebrospinal fluid of the older
mice, their cognitive abilities were restored,
as was their ability to form new brain cells.
The scientists were also able to identify
this unique signature in elderly human
brains. The scientists hope that this finding
may, in the future, help prevent or reverse
cognitive decline in old age, by finding
ways to rejuvenate the "immunological age"
of the brain. ❑
LAKES URGENT CARE
When your health concerns can't wait.
Every year, we rake up a ton of leaves from our yard. What's the best way to prevent injury from all the strenuous activity?
Like any new seasonal activity, raking leaves will stress muscles which most of us do not use on a regular basis. Making sure to stretch will help.
Try to divide the task into smaller sessions with breaks, rather than a "marathon" day to get it all complete. Also, make sure the rake has an
appropriate length handle for your height. Lastly, make sure to wear gloves to avoid generating painful blisters on your hands in the cold dry air.
Is there a good way to determine if something is a break or just a strain?
A painful extremity can be very misleading! Generally, without obtaining an x-ray of the area, it will not be possible to ascertain if the pain is
due to a strain or fracture (break). The old advice of "if I can move it, it's not broken," generally is false. Quite often we discover a fracture even
though someone can move a painful finger, wrist, foot or ankle.
If it's just a strain, do I need to see a doctor?
If you have injured a joint and are not experiencing severe pain or marked limitation of motion, you may consider applying the basics of "RICE"
(Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) for a period of 24-48 hours. If pain remains persistent beyond a few days or prevents you from near normal
mobility in a joint, especially the ankle or foot with weight bearing, it is best to have the injury evaluated by your primary care physician or a
certified urgent care.
If I suspect that it's a break, should I go to my doctor, the emergency room, or urgent care?
We always suggest you check with your primary care physician to help navigate and obtain the most appropriate care for
any health condition. Some primary care offices are comfortable taking care of minor fractures, some are not. A certified
urgent care facility can competently take care of fractures, providing initial x-rays, diagnosis and casting. At Lakes Urgent
Care, we provide all of these services and also work closely with several orthopedic specialists to provide excellent continuity
of care for more complex fractures.
For more info, visit the Ask Dr. Vieder page at
LakesUrgentCare.com
Dr. Sanford Vieder, DO, FACOEP, Medical Director at Lakes Urgent Care, West Bloomfield
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October 30 • 2014