Activation of the Brain to Postpone Dementia: A Concept Originating from Postmortem Human Brain Studies

TY - JOUR

T1 - Activation of the Brain to Postpone Dementia

T2 - A Concept Originating from Postmortem Human Brain Studies

AU - Zhu, Qiong-Bin

AU - Bao, Ai-Min

AU - Swaab, Dick

PY - 2019/1

Y1 - 2019/1

N2 - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by decreased neuronal activity and atrophy, while hyperactivity of neurons seems to make them resistant to aging and neurodegeneration, a phenomenon which we have paraphrased as 'use it or lose it'. Our hypothesis proposes that (1) during their functioning, neurons are damaged; (2) accumulation of damage that is not repaired is the basis of aging; (3) the vulnerability to AD is determined by the genetic background and the balance between the amount of damage and the efficiency of repair, and (4) by stimulating the brain, repair mechanisms are stimulated and cognitive reserve is increased, resulting in a decreased rate of aging and risk for AD. Environmental stimulating factors such as bilingualism/multilingualism, education, occupation, musical experience, physical exercise, and leisure activities have been reported to reduce the risk of dementia and decrease the rate of cognitive decline, although methodological problems are present.

AB - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by decreased neuronal activity and atrophy, while hyperactivity of neurons seems to make them resistant to aging and neurodegeneration, a phenomenon which we have paraphrased as 'use it or lose it'. Our hypothesis proposes that (1) during their functioning, neurons are damaged; (2) accumulation of damage that is not repaired is the basis of aging; (3) the vulnerability to AD is determined by the genetic background and the balance between the amount of damage and the efficiency of repair, and (4) by stimulating the brain, repair mechanisms are stimulated and cognitive reserve is increased, resulting in a decreased rate of aging and risk for AD. Environmental stimulating factors such as bilingualism/multilingualism, education, occupation, musical experience, physical exercise, and leisure activities have been reported to reduce the risk of dementia and decrease the rate of cognitive decline, although methodological problems are present.

U2 - 10.1007/s12264-019-00340-5

DO - 10.1007/s12264-019-00340-5

M3 - Article

C2 - 30721394

SN - 1673-7067

VL - 35

SP - 253

EP - 266

JO - Neuroscience Bulletin

JF - Neuroscience Bulletin

ER -