This is Your Brain on REST

It has been a good week for Alzheimer's in the news.  Another study was announced this week which gives us just one more tidbit of information in understanding the disease.

Scientists at Harvard have released the results of a study which indicates that the REST protein helps protect neurons from oxidative stress.  In short, the more REST round in a brain, the less cognitive decline found in the brain as the brain ages and is exposed to various stressors.  This may actually explain why some individuals who have the plaque tangles associated with Alzheimer's never develop cognitive symptoms.  This raises the possibility that if you can increase the levels of the protein in the brain you may be able to help the brain protect itself.

Additional Information:
Fetal Brain Protein Reactivates in Old Age, May Fight Dementia
Protein Protects Aging Brain

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