This week on my homepage, I discussed the
various factors involved in maintaining a healthy brain and active memory.
Here, I want to provide some key updates this month on brain and memory in
order to cement the importance of how our genes interact with our environment to
determine outcomes. This is the science of epigenetics and proves we can
actively participate in how our genes express themselves in a healthy or
unhealthy way.
1. How Low
Mood May Trump Working Memory (1, 2)
According to Science Daily:
A
new study illustrates the link between reduced working memory capacity and dysphoria,
a significant and prolonged depressed mood related to clinical depression.
Building on the knowledge that dysphoric individuals (DIs) and clinically
depressed people maintain their attention on ‘mood-congruent’ information
longer than people without depressed mood, researchers carried out three
studies to test both working memory and processing speed. (1)
2.
Nutrients Can Assist With Optimizing Brain Neurotransmitters
This study demonstrated how omega-3 fatty acids
and vitamin D modulated serotonin:
Serotonin
regulates a wide variety of brain functions and behaviors. Here, we synthesize
previous findings that serotonin regulates executive function, sensory gating,
and social behavior and that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar
disorder, schizophrenia, and impulsive behavior all share in common defects in
these functions. It has remained unclear why supplementation with omega-3 fatty
acids and vitamin D improve cognitive function and behavior in these brain
disorders. Here, we propose mechanisms by which serotonin synthesis, release,
and function in the brain are modulated by vitamin D and the 2 marine omega-3
fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Brain
serotonin is synthesized from tryptophan by tryptophan hydroxylase 2, which is
transcriptionally activated by vitamin D hormone. Inadequate levels of vitamin
D (∼70%
of the population) and omega-3 fatty acids are common, suggesting that brain
serotonin synthesis is not optimal. We propose mechanisms by which EPA
increases serotonin release from presynaptic neurons by reducing E2
series prostaglandins and DHA influences serotonin receptor action by
increasing cell membrane fluidity in postsynaptic neurons. We propose a model
whereby insufficient levels of vitamin D, EPA, or DHA, in combination with
genetic factors and at key periods during development, would lead to
dysfunctional serotonin activation and function and may be one underlying
mechanism that contributes to neuropsychiatric disorders and depression. This
model suggests that optimizing vitamin D and marine omega-3 fatty acid intake
may help prevent and modulate the severity of brain dysfunction. (3)
3.
Can Smartphones Make Us Dumb?
According to a new study, smartphones may make
our brains lazy:
In
three studies involving 660 participants, the researchers examined various
measures including cognitive style ranging from intuitive to analytical, plus
verbal and numeracy skills. Then they looked at the participants’ smartphone
habits.
Participants
in the study who demonstrated stronger cognitive skills and a greater
willingness to think in an analytical way spent less time using their
smartphones’ search-engine function. (4)
Implications: Consider making sure you are not
just thinking happy thoughts, but also incorporating healthy behaviors,
lifestyle, and dietary factors to decrease stress and potential inflammation on
the brain, which can also lead to low mood. View my homepage for more details
on this.
I’ll be posting a link in a few weeks from an upcoming
blog that provides more tips and tools for brain health.
Sources:
(1) Taylor & Francis. “No room to
think: Depressive thoughts may have a negative effect on working memory. ScienceDaily.
March 18, 2015. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150318074442.htm.
(2) Nicholas A. Hubbard, Joanna L. Hutchison,
Monroe Turner, Janelle Montroy, Ryan P. Bowles, Bart Rypma. Depressive thoughts
limit working memory capacity in dysphoria. Cognition and Emotion, 2015; 1 DOI:
10.1080/02699931.2014.991694
(3) Patrick RP, Ames BN. Vitamin D and the
omega-3 fatty acids control serotonin synthesis and action, part 2: relevance
for ADHD, bipolar, schizophrenia, and impulsive behavior. The FASBE Journal. February 24, 2015, doi: 10.1096/fj.14-268342
fj.14-268342
(4) University of Waterloo. Reliance on smartphones
linked to lazy thinking. ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 5 March 2015. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150305110546.htm.
(5)
Nathaniel Barr, Gordon Pennycook, Jennifer A. Stolz, Jonathan A. Fugelsang. The brain in your pocket: Evidence that
Smartphones are used to supplant thinking. Computers in Human
Behavior, 2015; 48: 473 DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2015.02.029