Are nerve cells restored in pregnant women. Are nerve cells recovering or not? Features of the nervous system

Science does not stand still. New facts about the world around us are constantly being discovered. However, studies of the human body are no less interesting. One of the well-known statements is the statement of scientists that nerve cells do not regenerate. This hypothesis has been generally accepted for a long time. However, a lot of experiments carried out, the use of advanced equipment made it possible to refute the well-known statement. Whether nerve cells are restored or not will be discussed in detail later.

What are nerve cells?

For many years, scientists have warned people not to be nervous. This is detrimental and, most importantly, irreversibly affects the work of brain neurons. So, nerve cells do not regenerate - myth or reality? To delve into this issue, you should consider the features of this system of the human body. Nerve cells are neurons. They make up the nervous system. There are about 10 billion of them in our body. Moreover, they are all interconnected.

Even today, the nervous system is one of the most complex and poorly understood parts of the body. To date, scientists have been able to study only 5% of neurons. These cells are covered on the outside with a myelin sheath. This is a special protein that is able to regenerate during a person's life. It was he who caused the discussion "Nerve cells do not recover - myth or reality?". Studies conducted by scientists have confirmed that this substance is indisputably capable of recovery.

Today we can say with confidence: the statement that nerve cells are not restored is a myth.

Communication between nerve cells occurs through a network of nerves. They convey information about the external and internal conditions of the body. The system performs several complex functions.

Features of the nervous system

For many years, scientists have been trying to get an answer to the question of why nerve cells do not regenerate. Therefore, work in this direction was constantly carried out. Over time, it became clear that the hypothesis was wrong. Nerve cells perform a number of important functions. The main ones are the following:

• Union. All organs and systems of the human body function as a whole. This relationship is ensured by the correct functioning of the nervous system.
• Information processing. It enters through external and internal receptors.
• Transfer of information. After processing the data, it is transferred to the corresponding cells, organs and tissues.
• Development. With the complication of environmental conditions, the nervous system improves and becomes more complex.

Such a complex mechanism cannot but be regenerated. Therefore, the answer to the question of whether nerve cells are restored in humans was found in 1998. Data on the study of E. Gouldy and Ch. Gross became a new stage in the development of medicine and psychology. They were published in 1999.

The experiments were carried out on mature monkeys. It has been proven that new neurons are formed daily in the primate brain. This process continues continuously until death. In 2014, it was accepted that the human brain develops not only during childhood and adolescence, but throughout life. Emotions are the main factor of development.

How is the recovery going?

Considering the question of whether nerve cells are restored, it is worth noting that this process proceeds at different speeds under the influence of various factors. Firstly, it is influenced by age, and secondly, by the way of life of a person and his environment. Neurons are restored, but for quite a long time.

You can speed up the regeneration process under certain conditions. Intellectual labor influences this. What nerve cells are restored? Regeneration processes occur only in those parts of the brain that are associated with new activities and the work of thought. According to the World Congress of Psychiatrists, which took place in 2014, the process of neuronal regeneration can be accelerated in the following situations:

• solving complex problems (not necessarily mathematical ones);
• an extreme situation from which a person seeks to find a way out;
• planning, in which you need to take into account a lot of initial data;
• when using memory, especially short-term;
• when solving questions of spatial orientation.

It is in these cases that a person begins to think hard. He needs to find a way out of the situation, make a difficult decision. At this point, the forces of the body are directed to the creation of new neural networks. This stimulates the brain, causing nerve cells to regenerate faster.

With age, the regeneration process can slow down. However, even in extreme old age, this process does not stop completely.

Negative factors in the regeneration process

Everyone knows the expression: “Don’t be nervous! Nerve cells do not regenerate!” The first part of this statement is completely correct. The fact is that the regeneration process can be both accelerated and slowed down. Stress is one of the main factors due to which the process of nerve cell repair is slower. Under its influence, neurons die. This has a devastating effect on the brain as well as the entire human body. If neurons die faster than new ones appear, this will lead to the development of a number of pathologies of the nervous system. Therefore, the scientists who advised not to be nervous were completely right.

In addition to stress, insomnia, radiation, chronic sleep deprivation, alcohol, nicotine and drugs have a destructive effect on neurons. There are many negative factors. The process of repairing the cells of the nervous system is called neurogenesis. It is he who contributes to the proper functioning of the entire human body. If nerve cells die in large numbers, this process should be stopped immediately. Over time, new neurons will appear. The patient's condition will improve.

To avoid negative consequences, doctors advise the following:

The mind needs to be trained, like muscles. Only the load should be special. You need to train your memory, trying to remember a certain amount of new information per day. Learn poetry, read books, interesting magazines, be interested in new discoveries and ponder new information. This is a prerequisite for training.

Some facts

How long do nerve cells recover? This is the most interesting question in neurogenesis. The state of human memory, the correct functioning of the entire nervous system depends on the speed of regeneration. Without a doubt, in childhood, this process occurs much faster. In old age, regeneration slows down. However, not every person in old age loses memory and acquires a diagnosis of senile dementia.

In order to understand this, one must consider generally accepted facts. Studies have shown that up to 700 new neurons are formed in the human body every day. This is enough for 1.75% of the cells to be renewed in a year. Some people are interested in whether nerve cells are restored in women. It is worth saying that the processes of regeneration are in no way influenced by gender. In women and men, this process proceeds in the same way and can be slowed down or accelerated under the influence of the factors mentioned above.

With age, the rate of recovery decreases. However, new neurons do not differ in infancy or old age. Their quality is always the same. However, with age, the cell life cycle lengthens.

Neuronal death is inevitable

If they tell you: nerve cells do not regenerate, this, as scientists have already proven, is a lie. However, one should not think that the death of neurons is an unnatural process. The destruction of nerve cells is programmed in us by nature itself. Every day, a large number of neurons die in our body. It is considered normal if the human brain loses 1% of neurons per year from their total number.

An interesting fact is that not all living beings on the planet possess this quality. For example, worms, some molluscs, insects have a certain number of nerve cells. Such living beings are born with a well-defined number of neurons. With the same number of nerve cells, they die. Therefore, such species are not capable of learning. They don't change behavior. Any deviations in the nervous system, a change in the number of cells, lead to the death of the individual.

Features of building a system of neural connections

A person at birth has an "overabundance" of neurons. This is a gigantic reserve built into our brain by nature. Nerve cells form random connections. However, only those that are involved in the learning process are fixed and remain of them. Over time, the body produces a tough selection. Cells that could not form connections with other neurons (were not involved in the learning process) die off. This is essential. To maintain the proper functioning of the neuron, the body spends ten times more oxygen and nutrients. Even when we are resting, nerve cells consume a large amount of energy.

For this reason, cells that do not participate in the exchange of information, do not have connections, are destroyed by the body.

Neurons die more actively in children

Considering whether or not nerve cells are restored, it is worth considering one more fact. Neurons constantly appear and die. In childhood, the process of destruction of nerve cells proceeds much faster. We are born with a large supply of neurons. 70% of them die before birth. This is fine.

In childhood, the ability to learn is maximum. That is why the baby's brain has such a huge reserve of nerve cells. In the process of learning, unused nerve cells die, reducing the load on the body. It is this diversity that opens up the opportunity for a person not only to learn, but even before birth to develop his individuality.

The functions of dead neurons are taken over by the remaining cells that have formed connections. At the same time, they increase in size, forming new bonds. One living neuron can replace 9 dead cells.

Gradually, in children, the process of cell death slows down, although it does not stop. If it is not loaded with new information, the number of neurons will gradually decrease. At the same time, the number of connections with other cells will increase. This is also a completely normal process.

The architecture of the connections of the nervous system has been honed over the years. An elderly person who uses the experience gained in the course of his life has fewer neurons than a child. But at the same time he can think faster. In the course of the mental activity of an elderly person, information is transmitted quickly and accurately precisely thanks to a properly honed system of neural connections.

So that the system does not degrade, does not collapse in old age, a person requires training. He must train his brain. Otherwise, the process of curtailing the activity begins. Aging begins, which ends with death.

The less intellectual, physical load, the faster the degradation process.

How are neurons formed?

Answering the question whether nerve cells are restored or not, it is worth considering the mechanism of their formation. They do not appear as a result of division, like other cells in the body. The process of formation of neurons is called neurogenesis. It is most active during fetal development. First, the processes of division of neural stem cells occur. They migrate, they differentiate. After that, neurons appear from such cells.

These cells are formed in only 3 areas. One of them is associated with memory - the hippocampus, the second - with the sense of smell (olfactory bulbs). Also during puberty, nerve cells accumulate in the amygdala and related areas.

Having considered whether nerve cells are restored or not, one can unequivocally answer that they are restored. This process takes place with unequal intensity. To speed it up, you need to load the brain with new information, enter into social connections, especially build relationships with loved ones. Lack of nutrients (vitamins, oxygen, trace elements) leads to the death of neurons.

Brain cells are in a state of constant movement and development. Neural connections are formed until the death of a person. In the mind of the average person there is a common opinion - nerve cells are not restored. Is this a myth or reality? To answer, it is worth considering one simple question.

The human brain contains approximately 90 billion neurons. Many negative factors of the external and internal environment: be it alcohol, malnutrition, stress, hormonal disruptions, etc., destroy nerve cells. And this process is constant. This is not about the only one, but about hundreds, and sometimes even thousands of neurons that a person loses per day. Maybe not every day, but with enviable constancy.

Question: what would happen to the human brain and its “carrier” itself, if the statement “nerve cells do not regenerate” turned out to be true? The answer is obvious.

Recent research has shed light. In short and understandable, the body itself is able to synthesize new neurons that replace the old ones. The main participant in this process is the hippocampus. Part of one of the oldest parts of the brain - the limbic system. It synthesizes about 700 new structures per day. And so throughout life.

The statement that nerve cells do not regenerate is just a myth. But there is some common sense here. There are factors that really inhibit the synthesis of new fibers.

What reasons slow down the production of new nerve cells

The process of synthesizing new neurons, restoring the structure of the brain is called neurogenesis. Normally, the hippocampus "supplies" about 700 such cytological structures per day. But this is an average. It is significantly reduced if a person leads a wrong lifestyle. Some factors slow down the process of renewal of cerebral tissues.

Lack of intellectual load

It is not so much about the formal tension of mental forces, but about a new point of their application. Ordinary crossword puzzles, popular Japanese sudoku puzzles, are suitable as training. Logic puzzles and exercises, special programs and educational games. If a person receives less intellectual load, there is a high probability of gradual degradation. For the same reasons, patients with a low degree of mental activity are more at risk of meeting with.

Same lifestyle

Generalized characteristic. In fact, it can be a static or toxic environment, monotonous work, stereotyped activity. Most of all, office workers, people engaged in routine work are subject to this. A change of scenery is needed to renew the cerebral structures. Even minimal, banal things are enough: go to work by a different route, change the traditional daily routine, etc.

Overnutrition

Science does not yet know enough about the negative role of nutrition in relation to the restoration of nerve cells. According to some estimates, exceeding the caloric content of food by 20% per day almost halves the rate of synthesis of new neurons. It is still impossible to say how true this statement is and whether it applies to all people without exception.

It is clear, however, that insufficient intake of vitamins, an improper diet with an excess of salt, animal fat, affects neurogenesis negatively.

chronic stress

Prolonged psycho-emotional stress does not add health. During stress, the adrenal glands produce a large number of hormones: cortisol, adrenaline, etc. They inhibit the synthesis of neurons, slowing down the process.

alcohol

Alcohol is a clear enemy of healthy cerebral structures. Ethanol and its decay products accumulate in brain tissues. Previously, there was an opinion that alcohol directly destroys the fibers. This is not entirely true. Cytological structures do not go anywhere, formally the amount of the substance remains at the same level. However, the processes of neurons are destroyed, which means that the signal no longer passes through them. Since then, they are excluded from normal activities and gradually die. The process is really destructive, but stretched out in time. With the systematic consumption of alcohol, violations become more noticeable. The rate of neurogenesis drops by 50-70%, according to various estimates.

The use of certain drugs

Some drugs destroy the brain. The use of psychotropic drugs has a particularly negative effect on the state of nerve cells. Recovery after them is not an easy task in itself. Tissues die as a result of blocking the transmission of a nerve impulse. Special neurotransmitters are responsible for this process: dopamine and others. Such a detrimental effect of neuroleptics, antidepressants is noticeable over the years. On MRI images of patients with a history, the size of the cerebral hemispheres is significantly smaller than in healthy people.

Lack of sleep

The biological clock of the body is arranged in such a way that closer to the night the synthesis of cortisol weakens, melatonin is more actively produced. It is able to inhibit many biochemical processes, and therefore the metabolism in cerebral structures slows down. Toxins, which are quickly eliminated under normal conditions, linger in tissues, poison them and provoke the death of cytological structures. With a systematic wrong sleep pattern, the process becomes more and more aggressive.

If you bring these reasons to the absolute - constantly drink, forget about intellectual development, indeed - nerve cells are not restored or the speed of this process is negligible. In other cases, neurogenesis slows down, but does not completely stop.

Does the opposite occur when the intensity of neurogenesis increases? Yes, this is also possible.

What factors help to restore nerve cells

There are several ways to promote the natural regeneration of nerve cells.

Rich emotional life

As a measure to prevent monotony. There is no need to work specifically in this direction. It is enough to maintain stable social ties, establish new contacts, communicate with people, change the way of activity from time to time, fully relax and not stay too long in one place. Positive emotions contribute to the production of neurotransmitters, substances that enhance neurogenesis.

Proper nutrition

Proper nutrition refers to a fortified diet. At a minimum, you need to follow a number of simple rules:

1. Limit salt intake to 4-6 grams per day. More is not needed, because sodium ions cause narrowing of the arteries. Blood circulates worse, brain structures receive less nutrients and oxygen. Consequently, they start to work more slowly. Salt cannot be completely eliminated either. Without sodium, the electrolytic balance will quickly break down. This is fraught with dangerous complications from the heart.
2. There should be enough vitamins in the diet. Their main source is fruits and vegetables. The share of plant foods should be about 50-60%. Plus or minus. This question is best discussed with a nutritionist.
3. Animal fat should not be excluded from the diet. But on the menu, he is given second place at best. Many essential amino acids can only be obtained from animal products. But preference should be given to dietary meats (chicken, turkey), fish and seafood.
4. Semi-finished products, canned food are completely excluded from the menu. They contain horse doses of salt and a huge amount of chemical additives. Such products do not carry a useful load and give nothing to the body.
5. A large role is given to the drinking regime. Water is a universal solvent that speeds up metabolic processes. Normally, you need to consume about 2 liters per day, not counting liquid foods. If a person has kidney problems or hypertension, the amount of fluid is limited. The same is true if a woman is gestating. During pregnancy, the amount of fluid is calculated individually.

Regular intellectual loads

Mental work helps to restore the neurons of the brain. There are many types of activity: crosswords, puzzles, reading books, analytical work, problem solving. A good help is the study of the exact sciences: mathematics, physics. Also formal logic. It is necessary to constantly develop thinking:, (rational). Do special exercises. Life according to these rules prevents two problems at once: on the one hand, it does not allow the brain to die slowly, on the other hand, it solves the issue of preventing dementia and Alzheimer's disease. In men, such pathologies are less common. But you still shouldn't relax.

Healthy sleep in comfortable conditions is also an indispensable condition for the renewal of nervous structures.

No need to strive for world records. Scientists have proven that after an hour of training with moderate loads, the brain begins to work more actively. People who adhere to an active regimen of physical activity are more learnable. Provided that these are feasible loads, and not grueling workouts for the sake of results or aesthetic goals.

In order to help your own body, walking, cycling, skiing, jogging in the morning is enough. It is important that physical activity is not too difficult. When exhausted, reverse processes begin. Produced cortisol, adrenaline, norepinephrine. And in the same or large quantities as during stress. Substances of the adrenal cortex block the work of the hippocampus.

Game activity

We are talking about any games: from old board games like checkers, chess to video games. In an uncomplicated way at first glance, the player is looking for new ways to solve problems, finds himself in situations that require him to have a new way of thinking. Game techniques are much more effective than special exercises. Because the student spends much less energy on games, is engaged with great pleasure and is ready to enlighten the lesson a lot of time.

In pursuit of neurogenesis, you need to observe the measure. Overwork triggers the opposite, harmful phenomena.

Why do you need to restore nerve cells at all

There are many cases in medical history when, by chance, a patient lived without a part of the brain, while working quite productively and even achieving success. Does this mean that the number of neurons does not matter? Not certainly in that way.

In all such cases, patients were either in this condition from birth, or underwent a long and difficult course of rehabilitation. Without updating the brain, intellectual activity, and not only, becomes problematic. If you systematically follow the recommendations on lifestyle, you can achieve constant stable work of the brain, productive activity:

• constantly and without problems new neural connections are formed;
• increased learning;
• the speed of thinking also increases.

These are not idle and abstract practices. The task is quite specific - to create conditions for the brain to function at the maximum of its capabilities.

Restoring nerve cells: what to do to renew the brain

Summarizing the intermediate results, the following recommendations can be made.

avoid stress

How long does it take for nerve cells to recover and return to normal? This takes at least a few days for the body. It is impossible to completely avoid stress, especially in modern conditions. Relaxation techniques come to the rescue: rhythmic breathing, visualization, counting to 10, etc. If desired, this question can be clarified with a psychotherapist.

Give up alcohol

Alcohol adversely affects the cerebral structures. But what if a person drank for some time, is it possible to restore nerve cells after drinking alcohol? Yes, you can. It will just take more time: some of it will be spent on returning to the position before abundant "libations", the rest - on the development and renewal of tissues.

Consider changing your diet

Are nerve structures restored with proper nutrition? They recover, this is the main goal of correcting their own eating habits.

Systematically engage in intellectual training

It is important to find the golden mean here. Excessive fatigue is only harmful. It is enough to develop a clear schedule of classes. It is advisable to practice in the morning, when the body is still ready to perceive and analyze new information. Is it true that the bigger the load, the better? No, it will just lead to the opposite effect. You need to dose it correctly.

get enough sleep

You need to sleep in a dark room, with the TV off and no network transmissions. Sleep duration is about 8-9 hours. You can do more, but not by much. This is an individual question. Half of the sleep should fall on the time before 23.00. During this period, the body rests best.

Quit smoking too

How long do brain neurons recover if cigarettes are excluded from everyday life? According to various estimates, 1.5-2 times faster. Not so much nicotine is dangerous as other chemical products: arsenic, cadmium, methane. They have the properties of neurotoxins. They not only slow down the restoration of nerve cells, but also destroy them themselves.

How fast is the recovery process if a person follows all the recommendations? The question is individual. But the disciplined champion of a healthy lifestyle will definitely get his “700 neurons”. There is another method to quickly return cerebral structures to normal. But it is dangerous and not suitable for everyone. We are talking about pharmacological assistance.

Is it possible to restore nerve cells with the help of drugs

Medications can be a good help for correcting the state of cerebral structures. Is it always? No, not always. There are good reasons to use drugs.

Indications (there are quite a few):

• hypertonic disease;
• symptomatic hypertension;
• encephalopathy of various types;
• previous stroke and acute emergency;
• various anomalies of the vascular structures of the brain;
• mental disorders;
• diseases of the vertebral arteries.

And some others. Against the background of pathologies of the cardiovascular and nervous systems, the restoration of nerve cells is slow. In some cases, so much so that natural renewal is not noticeable. This process has objective manifestations: thinking, mood swings, etc.

To spur the natural process, use the means of two groups:

1. Nootropics - drugs that accelerate metabolic phenomena in nerve fibers: Glycine, Phenibut and the like. Increase the efficiency of energy metabolism. Simply put, the same amount of nutrients and oxygen is supplied, and they are spent more efficiently.
2. Cerebrovascular drugs - restore cerebral blood flow, reduce tissue oxygen demand: Piracetam, Actovegin.

It is strictly forbidden to take them uncontrollably. Is it dangerous. When there are suspicions, you need to go to a doctor: a neurologist, a cardiologist.

As more "peaceful" means, vitamin-mineral complexes are used. But even here you need to know the measure. An excess of useful substances is just as dangerous as a lack, however paradoxical it may sound.

Until finally a critical number is reached. That's when senile insanity sets in.

People who support this belief try their best to avoid stress, and therefore any changes in life, whether it's a job change, a move, an unplanned trip, or a second education. And in vain. Because the nerve cells in an adult are restored. But this requires certain conditions.

Neurogenesis, or the formation of new nerve cells, occurs in adults in the hippocampus, the region of the brain that is responsible for memory. It is assumed that brand new neurons can also appear in the area responsible for planning, decision-making and volitional acts - the prefrontal cortex. This revolutionary discovery disproved the previous theory that the adult brain is only able to form new connections between existing nerve cells. And immediately set the stage for commercial speculation.

Actovegin, Cortexin, Cerebrolysin - all these drugs are very popular in Russia and for some reason are not known to anyone outside of it. Manufacturers claim that they, de, these drugs, help the formation of new nerve cells at the site of those who died from a stroke, injury or other disease. They cite as proof two and a half studies done "on the knee" and "the invaluable experience of many thousands of doctors and patients." In fact, all these drugs are just marketing zilch. They do not and cannot lead to the emergence of new neurons. Despite this, the drugs listed above continue to be actively prescribed by doctors and used by patients. And the trouble is not even in the use of "fuflomycins", but in the fact that many do not suspect that the brain can actually create new nerve cells.

Enriched environment

The researchers placed one group of mice in an empty cage, adding only the bare necessities of water, food, and straw bedding. And another group of rodents was sent to all-inclusive cages with hanging swings, a wheel, mazes and other curious things. After some time, it turned out that the brains of mice from the first group remained unchanged. But in rodents from cages "all inclusive" new neurons began to appear. Moreover, neurogenesis was most active in those mice that turned the wheel every day with their paws, that is, they were physically active.

What does an enriched environment mean for humans? This is not only a "change of scenery", travel and travel. To novelty, complexity must necessarily be added, that is, the need to explore, adapt. New people are also part of an enriched environment, and communicating with them, establishing social connections also helps the emergence of new nerve cells in the brain.

Physical activity

Any regular physical activity, whether it's cleaning the house or cycling through the park, stimulates the appearance of new nerve cells. The brain is a "careful hostess." The appearance of new neurons in it will occur only when it is justified, namely, in an unfamiliar environment and provided that a person is determined to survive, that is, he moves and explores, and does not lie and indulge in melancholic thoughts.

Therefore, movement is an excellent cure for stress. Physical activity neutralizes the action of the stress hormone cortisol (it causes the death of nerve cells) and brings a person confidence, calmness and new ideas to overcome a difficult life situation.

The work of the intellect

Research shows that training is another effective way to increase the number of nerve cells in the brain. However, learning does not mean learning something, and this is of fundamental importance for the emergence of new nerve cells.

When a person begins to learn a new skill, the survival of neurons in the area of ​​the brain responsible for memory increases. Yes, nerve cells die not only from stress. Memorization, gaining new experience is associated with the opposite process - forgetting, eliminating unnecessary information. For this purpose, the brain “turns off” old neurons from work. This is a natural cycle that occurs even when a person is calm, content with life and happy. Learning new things helps old neurons survive, but does not affect the emergence of new ones. In order for new nerve cells to appear, a person needs to put into practice the acquired knowledge, to repeat the information received.

Therefore, for the appearance of new nerve cells, it is not enough just to attend a sketching master class. You will need to draw something regularly, using the knowledge gained. It is optimal to combine this activity with walks in nature: physical activity combined with training gives the best results.

Antidepressants

The phenomenon of the appearance of new nerve cells in adults was unexpectedly detected by researchers in those patients who took ... antidepressants! It turned out that patients forced to take these drugs, not only began to better cope with stress, but also found an improvement in short-term memory. However, long-term antidepressant therapy was required in experiments to obtain such encouraging results. While the "treatment" of physical activity in combination with an enriched environment acted much faster.

Some researchers suggest that the basis of depression is not at all a deficiency of serotonin and other neurotransmitters, as is commonly believed in the scientific community today. As a person with depression recovers, an increase in the number of neurons in the hippocampus, the area of ​​the brain responsible for memory, is found. This may mean that the death of nerve cells is the cause of depression. This means that the possibilities of treatment are expanding (it is also possible that manufacturers of “fuflomycins” will pull themselves into this area of ​​​​research and begin to advise treating depression with them).

Psychotherapy

The researchers suggest that psychotherapy may have a beneficial effect on the number of neurons in the brain. This is due to the fact that a person learns to actively resist stress, and it is also suggested that psychotherapy is the same enriched social environment that makes it possible to "pump" the brain due to the novelty and complexity factors mentioned above.

People who suffered psychological or physical abuse and then developed post-traumatic stress disorder showed a decrease in the volume of the hippocampus. They experienced massive death of nerve cells in this area. The researchers made the assumption that there is an opportunity to prevent the problem. Experimental data showed that if the victim works with a psychotherapist within a month after the traumatic effect, there is no decrease in the volume of the hippocampus. Further, the “magic window” closes, and although psychotherapy helps the patient in the future, it does not affect the death of nerve cells in the brain. This is associated with the mechanisms of the formation of long-term memory: after its traces are formed, the “casket” with the traumatic experience experienced “slams” and it becomes almost impossible to influence these memories and the process of nerve cell death that has begun. It remains to work with what is - with the patient's emotions.

The emergence of new neurons and an increase in the number of connections between them in adults is the secret to a happy old age with the preservation of normal intelligence. Therefore, one should not believe that nerve cells do not regenerate, which means that one must live with what is left of the brain after the numerous stresses that we are exposed to daily. It is much more reasonable to consciously work on increasing the number of your own nerve cells. Fortunately, mandrake root or unicorn tears are not required for this.

For a long time, even scientists could only hear a negative answer to the question “whether nerve cells are restored”. That is why the famous statement that warns people against experiencing various stressful situations is still considered by many to be an axiom. The lack of a research base and the necessary equipment did not give scientists the opportunity to make sure that brain neurons are capable of self-healing.

In 1962, American scientists conducted the first experiments on rats, the results of which were stunning: the restoration of nerve cells is a natural process, but their regeneration in the human brain was scientifically confirmed only in 1998. one

Stress, insomnia, chronic sleep deprivation, radiation, alcohol and drug abuse, and other negative factors have a destructive effect on the brain. All this could be fatal for a person, if not for the process of restoration of nerve cells, called neurogenesis.

In modern society, the question is no longer relevant whether nerve cells are restored or not, since each of the studies has already been backed up by published facts and figures:

• the rate of neurogenesis in humans is 700 neurons per day;
• about 1.75% of nerve cells are renewed per year;
• these indicators are not affected by gender;
• regeneration activity decreases with age, but this does not affect the quality of neurons;
• with age, the cell cycle lengthens. 2

The complexity of the nervous system and the role of human nerve cells in it

The main element of the nervous system is the neuron, or nerve cell. Their number in the human body is tens of billions, and they are all interconnected. The nervous system is a complex and little studied part of the human body.

Much attention is paid to the issue of human nerve cell repair, but to date, scientists have been able to explore and study only 5% of neurons. As a result, it was found that on the outside they are covered with the so-called myelin sheath (a protein that can renew itself throughout human life). Thus, the previously existing theory about the impossibility of neuronal regeneration is just a myth.

The nervous system is connected with all organs and tissues of the body through nerves that carry information from the external environment. It performs a lot of complex and diverse functions, determined by the interaction between nerve cells. The most important of them are:

• association or integration - ensuring the interaction of all organs and systems, thanks to its correct work, the body functions as a whole;
• participation in the processing of information coming through both internal and external receptors;
• transformation, processing and transfer of the information received to the relevant authorities and systems;
• development as the environment becomes more complex. 3

A study by scientists Elizabeth Gould and Charles Gross, working at Princeton University in the Department of Psychology, published in 1999, became a new step in the development of medicine and made it possible to give a reasonable answer to the question that excites inquisitive minds: is this how nerve cells are restored or not?

Mature monkeys became experimental subjects. As a result of the experiment, it was found that thousands of new neurons appear in their brain every day, while they do not stop producing until death.

At the World Congress of Psychiatrists, which is organized every three years and last took place in 2014, scientists noted that the human brain develops not only in childhood and adolescence - it continues to change, regenerate and develop throughout our lives. In this case, the main influence on this organ is exerted by emotional factors.

The restoration of nerve cells by the human body is a long process, but it is possible to increase its speed if you engage in intellectual work: new neurons are formed only in the brain regions associated with the work of thought and new knowledge. According to the data provided by congress participants, neurons reproduce faster:

• in extreme situations;
• when solving complex problems;
• in the planning process;
• if necessary, use memory, especially short-term;
• in solving questions of spatial orientation. 4

How to restore nerve cells? five

Stress negatively affects the entire body and the nervous system in particular - neurons are destroyed. If you are thinking about how to restore nerve cells, take into account some rules:

• measure your dreams against reality;
• learn to organize your life;
• stop going with the flow;
• find the meaning of your own life;
• create social connections;
• improve relationships with people, especially with loved ones;
• do not forget that regeneration of nervous tissue usually does not require material costs;
• look for solutions to emerging problems;
• remember that studying at any age promotes the regeneration of nerve cells.

Scientists from the USA M. Rubin and L. Katz introduced the term “neurobics” into science and recommend regular mental training to restore nerve cells. Such aerobics is useful for both children and adults, after a while there is a rapid assimilation of new material, memory development and an improvement in brain performance even in old age. At the World Congress of Psychiatrists, the director of the Russian Research Psychoneurological Institute named after. Bekhterev Professor N.G. Neznanov emphasized in his speech that even with senile dementia there is a possibility of restoring neurons and tissues.

4. Based on the information of the official website "Science-digest Science News" - publication of materials from the World Congress of Psychiatrists in an electronic journal dated May 17, 2014.

5. The section is based on translated materials published in the journal Science –Gould E., Tanapat P., Hastings N.B., Shors T.J. Neurogenesis in adulthood: a possible role in learning. Trends Cog. sci. 1999; 3(5):186-1992. ”, as well as on the basis of information from the official website “Science-digest science news” - publication of materials from the World Congress of Psychiatrists in an electronic journal dated May 17, 2014.