Botox Day is Tuesday February 17 with discounts on Botox and fillers such as Juvederm. Botox is $13/unit or $195/syringe (normally $16/unit and $240/syringe) and fillers are 10% off. Voluma is an injectable filler that augments and lifts the cheeks. Buy a syringe for each side and get $150 off PLUS a free $240 syringe of Botox. Add a syringe of Juvederm and save an additional $100. (Good as long as we have rebates.)
Brain adaptability or “neuroplasticity” is a recent discovery that may reduce dementia and Alzheimer’s as well as increase brain functioning after trauma. The theory is that new neurons take up encoded patterns of electrical energy. Supporting this is a study from Cardiff University and at least ten others that conclude that a healthy lifestyle (diet, weight control, nonsmoking) especially exercising leads to growth of new brain cells in the hippocampus and release of neurotrophic growth factors. The result is a 60% decrease in dementia. The hippocampus is the brain region that turns short term memories into long term memories and is the first to degenerate in Alzheimer’s disease.
(Did You Know? Dementia in some form affects 15% of people over the age of 70.)
Expanding upon this, the functioning of damaged brains may be improved by stressing use. Whether the problem be organic such as Parkinson’s or traumatic from strokes, pushing the involved area of the brain through use greatly increases functioning. For Parkinson patients this involves walking and for stroke victims using the area of the body that has become paralyzed. Brain-scan studies show that neurons adjacent to the damaged area take over.
The basic neuroplastic principle is “use it or lose”. Not only is physical exercise helpful but mental exercise helps maintain and strengthen existing connections in the brain. So the next time you are on the treadmill, make sure you work a crossword puzzle!
From Dr. Doidge Univ. of Toronto and Edward Taub, neuroscientist Univ. of Alabama
