Your brain can make new neurons even when you are an adult. But how does this help us think better?
Neurons are the cells that help our brain work. You are born with most of the neurons you will have in your life.
While your brain grows a lot when you are young, some places in the brain keep making new neurons as you grow up, but much less.
Scientists are still studying if making new neurons helps adults think better.
Research shows that people with epilepsy or Alzheimer’s disease make fewer new neurons than people without these conditions. We are not sure if having fewer new neurons causes thinking problems in these patients.
Our team of researchers found that new neurons are important for learning from listening to others. People who have more new neurons do better at verbal learning.
This link may help us create new treatments for people with cognitive problems, especially as our population ages.
More studies are needed to understand how to improve brain health and support better thinking.
Vocabulary List:
- Neurons /ˈnjʊə.rɒnz/ (noun): The cells in the brain that transmit information.
- Epilepsy /ˈɛp.ɪ.lep.si/ (noun): A neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.
- Alzheimer’s /ˈæl.zʌɪ.mɚz/ (noun): A progressive neurologic disease that causes brain cells to waste away.
- Cognitive /ˈkɒɡ.nɪ.tɪv/ (adjective): Related to the mental processes of perception memory judgment and reasoning.
- Research /ˈriː.sɝːtʃ/ (noun): The systematic investigation into a subject to discover or revise facts.
- Treatments /ˈtriːt.mənts/ (noun): Methods of dealing with a patient or condition to improve health.
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