Do these scientists do these experiments and write these papers just to make sure I have humor to add to my blogs? On the heels of last weekend's blog (still on home page - www.thealzheimerspouse.com) about preventing Alzheimer's Disease, here comes another article telling us to start RUNNING. Don't walk, mind you. RUN. RUN. RUN. Watch those brain cells grow. The mice in the experiment actually ran 15 miles a day. That is an awful lot of running for one little mouse, never mind short, overweight, old me.
My apologies to those of you who are serious scientists and take offense at my poking fun at these articles, but my opinion is my opinion. I can't help how I feel. Log onto the home page's (www.thealzheimerspouse.com) Breaking News Section for the direct link to the article "Start Running and Watch Your Brain Grow." Or you can copy and paste if you prefer - http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/jan/18/running-brain-memory-cell-growth
Joan, the average mouse can run at about 8 mph, which is considered pretty fast for such a tiny thing. With the generation of mouse models of human cardiovascular or neuromuscular disorders, the development of noninvasive methods to evaluate the physiological responses to exercise presents an important challenge. The possibility for determining critical speed (CS) in the mouse model was examined according to strain (CD1, C57BL/6J, FVB/N) and sex. Sixty mice performed four exhaustive runs on a treadmill to determine their CS. Twenty-one performed an incremental test to determine the velocity at the lactate threshold. CS was significantly different between the strains (P < 0.0001) but not between sexes. Two measures of heritability showed that CS was partially heritable. CS was not significantly different from lactate threshold velocity. We conclude that CS, which reflects the aerobic capacity, can be determined in mice, as in humans and horses. Considering the intrastrain variability, CS could represent a valuable means for designing an optimal and individualized physical training in mice. The model of CS for the estimation of the aerobic capacity in mice. The CS model can effectively be applied in mice running on a treadmill. This study showed very high r2 values (>0.98) when the simple polynomial expression (y = ax + b) was used to determine CS from four tests. This value of r2 was above those reported in some human studies (9, 10, 32). A true linear relationship was found (and then r2 close to 1) when CS is calculated with at least four trials, lasting between 1 min 30 s and 20 min (9). We found that, in mice, this protocol should be followed to avoid CS variability. The protocol of four trials performed in 1 wk was compatible with the recovery ability of the mice. To be specific: The rI and g2 were calculated as follows: rI = (MSB – MSW)/[MSB + (n – 1)MSW] and g2 = (MSB – MSW)/[MSB + (2n – 1)MSW], where MSW and MSB are the within- and between-strain mean square. So how does this relate to humans?? You should run at about 60 miles an hour for at least 18 hrs. This would duplicate the test for mice.,and the brain cells begin to grow...... Please believe me!!!!! I did this for about 5 minutes, and I noticed immediately that my brain cells began to grow.... I figured out that this running was doing me absolutely no good, and killing me!!! I got smart really quickly!! They should have a warning "Do not try this at home!" But it does work well... It is amazing how fast you smarten up.
I wonder if laughing makes your brain cells grow, because if it does, I just grew a whole new brain from reading Phranque's post. And I didn't have to run a inch.
Dear Phranque....I read and re-read the first couple of paragraphs of your submission and I did, indeed, feel my braincells grow! I really DID! Now, if they could just print this kind of stuff on the backs of cereal boxes or the side of StarBucks coffee cups...............
I just realized that my formula has a serious error in it.....since mice have 4 feet, and I only have two, I forgot to factor that in...Therefore cs is equal to (ms2-PG3/4mts+3k)(4mz)x2, which in short means that I have to run 120 mph for 18 hrs, or 90 mph for 22 hrs...I figure that I can therefore run for 24hrs with a minimum speed of 75mph... And since the local speed limit is 65, I thought that if I tied myself to the back of a tractor trailer, I could safely run at about 55 constantly. Most traffic is going at least 75, but trucks tend to stay in the fast lane and drive slower, side by side...I did it for about 3 minutes, and the soles of my sneakers disintergrated... So I cut the rope. Unfortunately, I ended up on the side of the road, unconscious, until the local garbage truck stopped. I forgot that today was garbage pickup day. Suprisingly, I regained consciousness after the 4th bag of garbage was poured over me, and I ended up having to walk home. Back to my formulation tomorrow.....I will now try to run on all four limbs to improve my test results. By the way, for more technical information, visit the following reference webpage http://jap.physiology.org/cgi/content/full/98/4/1258 I think the mice are onto something....I have never seen one in a nursing home, or a pcp office....come to think of it, the only mice I have ever seen were indeed running..... I do a lot of running to, but mostly to the groceries, the pcp, stores, gas, errands....Should I try running faster?
Phranque....my lil cousin's husband is a physicist for some government think tank near Washington, D.C. I'll run your theories by him. (I had Christmas dinner with them two years ago and no one even mentioned ANYthing remotely relating to String Theory or Particle Accelerators! Wanna hear something VERY wierd? This guy has never completed HIGH SCHOOL! Yet, he one of the foremost "thinkers" in our country today! Talk about talent ....and brain cells!
I am not surprised that the foremost thinkers of our country never completed high school...it is so apparent in the way the government works...I think that my dw will be applying for the think tank in maybe about 6 more months...
I am in fact leaving my brain to science, because it has seen very little use, and can probably be stored on the tip of a needle, and possibly injected into someone else as a mini microchip cell.
Phranque, I just read (or tried to read) the article in JAP that you quoted. I have one question: Were the mice used from the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine? That could make a difference in the outcome, since Maine mice are obviously superior to those raised in other areas.
Marsh, unfortunately for the Maine mice, they had to wear snowshoes while running. This skewed the results of their running so much, that several of them slipped on the ice and had to be dug out of the snow. However, when these mice were hooked up to a team of sled dogs, they performed much better than their counterparts. Their brains grew so much that they kept losing their hats. The conclusion were that Maine mice are indeed superior to any others, since they figured out that they could use the dog sleds, and use the frosty weather to their advantage. Never underestimate the power of a Maine Mouse!
Comment Author Charlotte Comment Time 9 hours ago edit delete
When you figure it out, let us know and you can probably make your millions on it! Seriously, I believe they are still only guessing on how to prevent. At most running, exercise, good diet, etc. will only delay it. I think this is especially true for those over 65. For the EOAD and familia - nothing will change the future at this time.
Comment Author bluedaze Comment Time 1 hour ago edit delete
My husband played tennis 3-4 times a week, biked for miles, ate a very healthy diet, and did word and crossword puzzles as well as long swims. Know what-didn't matter a bit. Sure didn't help.
INDEED, TRUE! I'm still a small person, about 126#, but without all the physical activity I was accustomed to, my arms and legs have turned to GEL! Can't wait till an exercise regimine is approved by my doctor and I can get back to doing my own barn work!!!