Author
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Topic: Something interesting I learned
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Johnny Knowflake Posts: 80 From: Colorado, USA Registered: Nov 2004
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posted November 18, 2004 03:48 PM
I've always thought that brain cells do not regenerate, and that when one of them dies, no more will come back to take its place. However, in my psychology class the other day, while we were on the subject of neuro-transmitters and brain chemistry, my professor happened to mentioned that that was a widespread myth, and that brain cells actually can be re-created by the body. I was so intrigued by this that I got on the internet to research it, and I discovered some pretty amazing information. Apparently, recent studies have found that new brain cells can be grown, even in super-complex areas of the brain like the cerebral cortex, where it was previously thought that new cell development would have harmful effects. I thought I ought to mention this, as it is obviously a great development, especially for immortals. But don't just believe me; Google it! IP: Logged |
Johnny Knowflake Posts: 80 From: Colorado, USA Registered: Nov 2004
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posted November 18, 2004 04:06 PM
Or did you all already know this? It wouldn't suprise me... IP: Logged |
Yin Knowflake Posts: 600 From: Registered: May 2004
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posted November 18, 2004 04:43 PM
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Johnny Knowflake Posts: 80 From: Colorado, USA Registered: Nov 2004
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posted November 18, 2004 07:52 PM
Is it just me, or is that a smug smiley!?IP: Logged |
Randall Webmaster Posts: 19776 From: Columbus, GA USA Registered: Nov 2000
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posted November 18, 2004 08:57 PM
Nope. It means "cool."------------------ "Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark IP: Logged |
sesame Moderator Posts: 508 From: Brisbane, QLD, Oz Registered: Nov 2003
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posted November 18, 2004 11:46 PM
Well, I always thought all cells should regenerate. It seems the natural thing to do. The interesting thing is though, that all cells are pretty much exactly the same. The only difference is that they perform their own functions depending on what they want. Well, I got this from Deepak Chopra. I mean, your stomach cells will have the same neuro transmitters as your brain. The only difference is that the stomach won't answer questions meant for the brain. All organs behave according to what they're supposed to do, this is not dependent on their abilities. I mean, all cells are able to do everything, and hence, they are the same. So why shouldn't they all regenerate?Dean. IP: Logged |
juniperb Knowflake Posts: 5561 From: www.Heaven.Home Registered: Mar 2002
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posted November 18, 2004 11:58 PM
Why wouldn`t brain cells regenerate ------------------ If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans. ~James Herriot IP: Logged |
Johnny Knowflake Posts: 80 From: Colorado, USA Registered: Nov 2004
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posted November 19, 2004 02:39 AM
I don't know exactly why they wouldn't - I think them scientists thought that, if you had a bunch of regenerating cells in your brain, all the new growth would cause brain damage or something. But I really don't know. I'm just glad they do! Bring on the alcohol!Nah, I can't stand the stuff. IP: Logged |
Sheaa Olein Moderator Posts: 1302 From: In the office, UK Registered: Jul 2004
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posted November 19, 2004 06:59 AM
I had a notion (not sure where from) that brain cells were permanently damaged for some people, such as seriously ill conditions. I always believed in cell regeneration (especially after reading Star Signs 10 years ago). It is an interesting topic since our brains are very important, complex and facinating within themselves.Here's something I found on the net by "About Biology" which mentions that our some belief probably came from biology class!; quote: For almost one hundred years, it has been a mantra of biology - brain cells do not regenerate. In a startling discovery that could have profound implications for treating brain disorders and injuries, researchers at Princeton University have discovered that new neurons are continually being added to the brains of adult monkeys. The neurons are added to the cerebral cortex of the brain. The cerebral cortex is the most complex part of the brain and scientists were startled to find neuron formation in this "high" brain area. The cerebral cortex is responsible for higher level decision making and learning..."
Another intersting link I found, begins like this; quote: "Cut your skin, and the wound closes within days. Break a leg, and the fracture will usually mend if the bone is set correctly. Indeed, almost all human tissues can repair themselves to some extent throughout life. Remarkable "stem" cells account for much of this activity. These versatile cells resemble those of a developing embryo in their ability to multiply almost endlessly and to generate not only carbon copies of themselves but also many different kinds of cells. The versions in bone marrow offer a dramatic example. They can give rise to all the cells in the blood: red ones, platelets and a panoply of white types. Other stem cells yield the various constituents of the skin, the liver or the intestinal lining.The brain of the adult human can sometimes compensate for damage quite well, by making new connections among surviving nerve cells (neurons). But it cannot repair itself, because it lacks the stem cells that would allow for neuronal regeneration. That, anyway, is what most neurobiologists firmly believed until quite recently...
Here's the full page; http://www.dsrf.co.uk/Reading_material/New_braincells/newbrain1.htm ------------------ "Once you can accept the universe as matter expanding into nothing that is something, wearing stripes with plaid comes easy." -Albert Einstein IP: Logged |
Grasshopper Moderator Posts: 307 From: Missouri Registered: May 2001
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posted November 19, 2004 01:30 PM
Hey, this is news to me. I always thought brain cells went the way of the dodo bird. Now that I see there is contrary evidence, the obvious "duh" whap on my head follows suit as I realize, "well, why wouldn't they?"Thanks, Johnny. IP: Logged |
Sheaa Olein Moderator Posts: 1302 From: In the office, UK Registered: Jul 2004
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posted November 19, 2004 01:36 PM
Yeah same here Grasshopper ------------------ "I don't think there's a punch-line scheduled, is there?" Monty Python IP: Logged |
LibraSparkle Moderator Posts: 3933 From: Vancouver USA Registered: May 2004
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posted November 19, 2004 09:40 PM
Cool, Johnny. I had no idea.Thanks, you super cool Pisces dude! IP: Logged |
Johnny Knowflake Posts: 80 From: Colorado, USA Registered: Nov 2004
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posted November 19, 2004 10:33 PM
That's me - spreading cheer and the Christmas spirit wherever I go... Drat. No Santa smilies! IP: Logged |
Randall Webmaster Posts: 19776 From: Columbus, GA USA Registered: Nov 2000
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posted November 19, 2004 11:47 PM
As a general rule, neurons don't regenerate; however, don't doesn't mean can't. ------------------ "Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark IP: Logged |
Randall Webmaster Posts: 19776 From: Columbus, GA USA Registered: Nov 2000
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posted November 20, 2004 08:42 AM
I remember seeing (on the Rush Limbaugh tv show of all places) a story about a bird that lost half its brain in an accident, and it grew another brain. ------------------ "Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark IP: Logged |
Johnny Knowflake Posts: 80 From: Colorado, USA Registered: Nov 2004
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posted November 20, 2004 09:19 PM
Well, of all the wonders on this site, that is the greatest. Who knew Rush had a TV show??IP: Logged |
LibraSparkle Moderator Posts: 3933 From: Vancouver USA Registered: May 2004
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posted November 21, 2004 11:16 PM
Wow, Randall! That's amazing!IP: Logged |
sesame Moderator Posts: 508 From: Brisbane, QLD, Oz Registered: Nov 2003
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posted November 22, 2004 01:43 AM
YEAH TOTALLY! Deepak talked of that in Quantum healing. I think the experiment he reffered to was cutting away parts of the brain. The rats could still function completely, but somewhat slower, when almost all of their brain was taken away. I can't remember all the details, but it brings light to the fact that different parts control different things. I can't rememebr the details though...Dean. IP: Logged |
maklhouf Knowflake Posts: 283 From: Registered: Nov 2003
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posted November 22, 2004 05:42 AM
Even more interesting is that people can have had most of their brains removed and still function highly, even to the point of getting university degrees.IP: Logged |
Sheaa Olein Moderator Posts: 1302 From: In the office, UK Registered: Jul 2004
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posted November 22, 2004 08:04 AM
maklhouf, Dean, Johnny & Randall (hey LS ) that sounds interesting, really ~ even with most of their brains removed? Wow, that is something. Well I do believe in regeneration I was contemplating this, amoungst other things last night. I re-read the Physical Immortality chapter in Star Signs I then opened Gooberz (randomly) at a relevant canto ~ it was amazing. It referred to Linda learning about different aspects of cell regeneration, so interesting. I think it was canto fourteen IP: Logged |
Johnny Knowflake Posts: 80 From: Colorado, USA Registered: Nov 2004
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posted November 22, 2004 11:29 PM
I read somewhere that the reason people ( and animals, for that mattter ) can still function relatively normally even after having parts of their brains removed is that the different parts of the brain take on the functions that the missing parts previously performed. It's not exactly regeneration of the missing brain tissue - just re-allocation of the brain's tasks.IP: Logged |
LibraSparkle Moderator Posts: 3933 From: Vancouver USA Registered: May 2004
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posted November 22, 2004 11:33 PM
... either way... absolutely amazing!IP: Logged |
juniperb Knowflake Posts: 5561 From: www.Heaven.Home Registered: Mar 2002
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posted November 22, 2004 11:42 PM
Johnny, would that include a lobotomy? ------------------ If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans. ~James Herriot IP: Logged |
Johnny Knowflake Posts: 80 From: Colorado, USA Registered: Nov 2004
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posted November 23, 2004 12:23 AM
It is amazing - lends some support to the theory that the brain is more of a radio for the soul, rather than the be-all and end-all of everything! Juniperb, did you mean "does that include having the brain regenerate from a lobotomy", or did you mean "having the rest of the brain take on the tasks of the lobotomized portion" ?
Either way, I have no idea!
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juniperb Knowflake Posts: 5561 From: www.Heaven.Home Registered: Mar 2002
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posted November 23, 2004 12:48 AM
Johnney, pick your poison; either way an interesting take Would you suppose the Soul has anything to do with any physical brain regeneration? Or would the brain regenerate the Soul? ------------------ If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans. ~James Herriot IP: Logged |