Humans Produce New Brain Cells Throughout Their Lives, Say Researchers (theguardian.com)

An anonymous reader shares a report: Humans continue to produce new neurons in a part of their brain involved in learning, memory and emotion throughout adulthood, scientists have revealed, countering previous theories that production stopped after adolescence. The findings could help in developing treatments for neurological conditions such as dementia. Many new neurons are produced in the hippocampus in babies, but it has been a matter of hot debate whether this continues into adulthood -- and if so, whether this rate drops with age as seen in mice and nonhuman primates. Although some research had found new neurons in the hippocampus of older humans, a recent study scotched the idea, claiming that new neurons in the hippocampus were at undetectable levels by our late teens.

Comments

Use it or lose it

[Rick Schumann]

Haven't I read at least a few articles that say keeping your mind active as you age can perhaps prevent age-related mental problems like dementia and Alzheimers?
All makes perfect sense to me. You don't use your muscles, they atrophy, because there's no reason for your body to dedicate resources to something that's not being used; why should it be any different with your brain? Keep learning your whole life, keep yourself interested in something, and your brain will last as long as possible. Having a purpose in life, whether bestowed on you or of your own devising would probably help.

Re:Yeah, I get tired, too

[Anonymous Coward]

As many as I see bashing Trump, I see just as many bashing the entire voting populace on the other side. Both sides need to stop - one that's wasting breath bashing (and thus empowering) an idol and the other that really needs to learn "love thy neighbor".