Talking to teenagers

It has been believed for decades that the mature brain was incapable of growing new neurons; it was understood that as we reached adulthood, we began to lose neurons rather than gain them. However, it has been extensively researched and proved that exercise in particular can create new neurons, helping to defend against conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Physical activity improves the function of many systems in the body, but the effects are usually about athletic performance, but what sort of challenge improves brain function? Researchers at Salk Institute showed in the 1990’s that running increased the hippocampal neurons in mice. It increases BDNF (a protein called ‘brain-derived neurotrophic factor’) that is produced throughout the body and brain, it promotes nascent neurons. BDNF lead to an increase in size of the hippocampus thus improving memory in adults. Research has also proven benefits of exercise in the prefrontal cortex which is resp