1. Your brain on Alzheimer’s
Dr. Chris Hasegawa

2. My plan for Today A Little Review about how the brain works
Memory and Neurons
Brain Scanning/Imaging
Alzheimer’s Disease
How to live brain healthy
Next Week: Your Brain on music

4. Gender differences in how Brains work

7. Neurons and Memory
The average human brain has about 100 billion neurons (or nerve cells) and many more neuroglia (or glial cells) which serve to support and protect the neurons (although see the end of this page for more information on glial cells). Each neuron may be connected to up to 10,000 other neurons, passing signals to each other via as many as 1,000 trillion synaptic connections, equivalent by some estimates to a computer with a 1 trillion bit per second processor. Estimates of the human brain’s memory capacity vary wildly from 1 to 1,000 terabytes (for comparison, the 19 million volumes in the US Library of Congress represents about 10 terabytes of data).

8. Synapse = “Gap” between neurons
Transmitter
The average human brain has about 100 billion neurons (or nerve cells) and many more neuroglia (or glial cells) which serve to support and protect the neurons (although see the end of this page for more information on glial cells). Each neuron may be connected to up to 10,000 other neurons, passing signals to each other via as many as 1,000 trillion synaptic connections, equivalent by some estimates to a computer with a 1 trillion bit per second processor. Estimates of the human brain’s memory capacity vary wildly from 1 to 1,000 terabytes (for comparison, the 19 million volumes in the US Library of Congress represents about 10 terabytes of data).

9. Dendridic Spines
Numerous brain disorders are associated with abnormal dendritic spines.

11. PET/CT Imaging
Positron emission tomography (PET), is a type of nuclear medicine imaging
that uses small amounts of radioactive material to help track a process
Each individual neuron can form thousands of links with other neurons in this way, giving a typical brain well over 100 trillion synapses (up to 1,000 trillion, by some estimates). Functionally related neurons connect to each other to form neural networks (also known as neural nets or assemblies). The connections between neurons are not static, though, they change over time. The more signals sent between two neurons, the stronger the connection grows (technically, the amplitude of the post-synaptic neuron’s response increases), and so, with each new experience and each remembered event or fact, the brain slightly re-wires its physical structure.

12. Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/X-ray computed tomography (CT)
Dr. Bruce Hasegawa
(1951 – 2008)
SPECT uses Gamma Rays to get multiple 2-D images and combines to produce 3-D images
Each individual neuron can form thousands of links with other neurons in this way, giving a typical brain well over 100 trillion synapses (up to 1,000 trillion, by some estimates). Functionally related neurons connect to each other to form neural networks (also known as neural nets or assemblies). The connections between neurons are not static, though, they change over time. The more signals sent between two neurons, the stronger the connection grows (technically, the amplitude of the post-synaptic neuron’s response increases), and so, with each new experience and each remembered event or fact, the brain slightly re-wires its physical structure.

13. PET/CT Imaging
Computed Tomography (CT) imaging uses special x-ray equipment to produce multiple images or pictures of the inside of the body
“A snapshot”
Each individual neuron can form thousands of links with other neurons in this way, giving a typical brain well over 100 trillion synapses (up to 1,000 trillion, by some estimates). Functionally related neurons connect to each other to form neural networks (also known as neural nets or assemblies). The connections between neurons are not static, though, they change over time. The more signals sent between two neurons, the stronger the connection grows (technically, the amplitude of the post-synaptic neuron’s response increases), and so, with each new experience and each remembered event or fact, the brain slightly re-wires its physical structure.

14. PET/CT Imaging
PET/CT scans provide images that pinpoint the anatomic location of abnormal metabolic activity within the body.
Each individual neuron can form thousands of links with other neurons in this way, giving a typical brain well over 100 trillion synapses (up to 1,000 trillion, by some estimates). Functionally related neurons connect to each other to form neural networks (also known as neural nets or assemblies). The connections between neurons are not static, though, they change over time. The more signals sent between two neurons, the stronger the connection grows (technically, the amplitude of the post-synaptic neuron’s response increases), and so, with each new experience and each remembered event or fact, the brain slightly re-wires its physical structure.

15. Signal Coding
Over time, our experiences create patterns in signal type and strength.
Reading words
Hearing words
Each individual neuron can form thousands of links with other neurons in this way, giving a typical brain well over 100 trillion synapses (up to 1,000 trillion, by some estimates). Functionally related neurons connect to each other to form neural networks (also known as neural nets or assemblies). The connections between neurons are not static, though, they change over time. The more signals sent between two neurons, the stronger the connection grows (technically, the amplitude of the post-synaptic neuron’s response increases), and so, with each new experience and each remembered event or fact, the brain slightly re-wires its physical structure.
Thinking about words
Saying words

16. Neural Network Typical Brain has well over 100 trillion synapses
Functionally related neurons form networks
Remember dendritic spines?
Each individual neuron can form thousands of links with other neurons in this way, giving a typical brain well over 100 trillion synapses (up to 1,000 trillion, by some estimates). Functionally related neurons connect to each other to form neural networks (also known as neural nets or assemblies). The connections between neurons are not static, though, they change over time. The more signals sent between two neurons, the stronger the connection grows (technically, the amplitude of the post-synaptic neuron’s response increases), and so, with each new experience and each remembered event or fact, the brain slightly re-wires its physical structure.

17. Dr. Daniel Amen
Each individual neuron can form thousands of links with other neurons in this way, giving a typical brain well over 100 trillion synapses (up to 1,000 trillion, by some estimates). Functionally related neurons connect to each other to form neural networks (also known as neural nets or assemblies). The connections between neurons are not static, though, they change over time. The more signals sent between two neurons, the stronger the connection grows (technically, the amplitude of the post-synaptic neuron’s response increases), and so, with each new experience and each remembered event or fact, the brain slightly re-wires its physical structure.

18. Each individual neuron can form thousands of links with other neurons in this way, giving a typical brain well over 100 trillion synapses (up to 1,000 trillion, by some estimates). Functionally related neurons connect to each other to form neural networks (also known as neural nets or assemblies). The connections between neurons are not static, though, they change over time. The more signals sent between two neurons, the stronger the connection grows (technically, the amplitude of the post-synaptic neuron’s response increases), and so, with each new experience and each remembered event or fact, the brain slightly re-wires its physical structure.

20. Alzheimer’s most prevalent form of dementia proteins build up in the brain to form structures called 'plaques' and 'tangles'. This leads to the loss of neurotransmitters, and eventually to the death of nerve cells and loss of brain tissue.

21. Each individual neuron can form thousands of links with other neurons in this way, giving a typical brain well over 100 trillion synapses (up to 1,000 trillion, by some estimates). Functionally related neurons connect to each other to form neural networks (also known as neural nets or assemblies). The connections between neurons are not static, though, they change over time. The more signals sent between two neurons, the stronger the connection grows (technically, the amplitude of the post-synaptic neuron’s response increases), and so, with each new experience and each remembered event or fact, the brain slightly re-wires its physical structure.

22. Ventricles (fluid-filled spaces within the brain) grow larger.
The cortex shrivels up
Shrinkage is especially severe in the hippocampus, formation of new memories.
Ventricles (fluid-filled spaces within the brain) grow larger.
Alzheimer’s Brain
Each individual neuron can form thousands of links with other neurons in this way, giving a typical brain well over 100 trillion synapses (up to 1,000 trillion, by some estimates). Functionally related neurons connect to each other to form neural networks (also known as neural nets or assemblies). The connections between neurons are not static, though, they change over time. The more signals sent between two neurons, the stronger the connection grows (technically, the amplitude of the post-synaptic neuron’s response increases), and so, with each new experience and each remembered event or fact, the brain slightly re-wires its physical structure.

23. Alzheimer’s Neurons
Many fewer nerve cells and synapses than a healthy brain.
Plaques, abnormal clusters of protein fragments, build up between nerve cells.
Dead and dying nerve cells contain tangles
Each individual neuron can form thousands of links with other neurons in this way, giving a typical brain well over 100 trillion synapses (up to 1,000 trillion, by some estimates). Functionally related neurons connect to each other to form neural networks (also known as neural nets or assemblies). The connections between neurons are not static, though, they change over time. The more signals sent between two neurons, the stronger the connection grows (technically, the amplitude of the post-synaptic neuron’s response increases), and so, with each new experience and each remembered event or fact, the brain slightly re-wires its physical structure.

24. A protein called tau (rhymes with wow) helps the tracks stay straight.
Tangles
In healthy cells, transport system is organized in orderly parallel strands somewhat like railroad tracks.
A protein called tau (rhymes with wow) helps the tracks stay straight.
Each individual neuron can form thousands of links with other neurons in this way, giving a typical brain well over 100 trillion synapses (up to 1,000 trillion, by some estimates). Functionally related neurons connect to each other to form neural networks (also known as neural nets or assemblies). The connections between neurons are not static, though, they change over time. The more signals sent between two neurons, the stronger the connection grows (technically, the amplitude of the post-synaptic neuron’s response increases), and so, with each new experience and each remembered event or fact, the brain slightly re-wires its physical structure.

25. In tangles, tau collapses into twisted strands.
The tracks can no longer stay straight. They fall apart and disintegrate.
Nutrients and other essential supplies can no longer move through the cells, which eventually die.
Each individual neuron can form thousands of links with other neurons in this way, giving a typical brain well over 100 trillion synapses (up to 1,000 trillion, by some estimates). Functionally related neurons connect to each other to form neural networks (also known as neural nets or assemblies). The connections between neurons are not static, though, they change over time. The more signals sent between two neurons, the stronger the connection grows (technically, the amplitude of the post-synaptic neuron’s response increases), and so, with each new experience and each remembered event or fact, the brain slightly re-wires its physical structure.

26. Dementia Mild to Moderate Early (2-10 years) (pre-diagnosis) Severe

27. alzheimer’s prevalence
Of the estimated 5.5 million Americans living with Alzheimer's dementia in 2017, an estimated 5.3 million are age 65 and older and approximately 200,000 individuals are under age 65 and have younger-onset Alzheimer's.
One in 10 people age 65 and older (10 percent) has Alzheimer's dementia.

32. Diet
A Mediterranean diet— including beans, fish (or vegetarian substitutes), fruits, vegetables, olive oil, nuts, whole grains— contributes to a healthy brain and heart.

33. Exercize
Aerobic exercise increases blood flow to the brain, reduces Alzheimer’s– related senile plaques and inflammation, and enhances the birth of new neural stem cells.

34. Sleep
During deep sleep the natural cleaners of your brain—microglia—remove unwanted particles. The recommendation is at least 7 hours each night.

35. Red Wine
There is evidence that resveratrol, a natural antioxidant in red wine, dark chocolate, and grapes, may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s (in moderation, of course).

36. socialize
Having an active social life increases brain activity, reduces stress, and may both trigger and preserve memories. It also helps to ward off depression, a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.

37. Oral hygiene
Some studies have linked poor oral hygiene to dementia—possibly due to increased inflammation or bacteria reaching the brain. A regular visit to your dentist is recommended.

38. RELAX
It appears that people with high and persistent levels of stress are at increased risk for mild cognitive impairment. Schedule daily activities like meditation, yoga, or spending time with your pet.

39. LEARN
When you learn a new, challenging skill such as photography, quilting or playing a musical instrument, you are strengthening the neural networks in your brain.

40. Music
Listening to music can evoke emotion and trigger memories. Singing or playing a musical instrument has been shown to help build neural networks.

41. memory and music patterns 1. early childhood (family songs) 2
memory and music patterns early childhood (family songs) years old (Freshman Year) years old (go to college/military) 4. Music you perform 5. When you have children

42. 100 year old Sister Mary took a memory test, drew geometric shapes and as she passed each text she laughed and conversed.
After she died at 102, a brain examination fround all the indicators of Alzheimer’s

43. Dr. Chris Hasegawa