Brain Safety, 2

The spattering of the soft butter against the inside of the glass jar can give you some idea of the brain damage that can result from head trauma. Since neurons do not generally replace themselves as do other cells and possess a rather limited capacity for repair, repeated brain bruising or torn blood vessels can result in cognitive and memory problems later in life. Thus the recommendations to wear seat belts, avoid sports that involve ‘heading the ball,’ and fall-proof your home to the extent possible. You only have one brain and its neurons tend to be the same ones you had in childhood. Although you cannot prevent all head injuries, you can prevent some. This is one area in life where an ounce of prevention is worth pounds of cure. The nerve axons (the typically largest projection from a neuron) can actually break and then the electrical impulses cannot travel smoothly along the axon. Picture that as a large sinkhole in the middle of the highway which prevents a vehicle from continuing down the highway. Since neurons do not generally replace themselves as do other cells and possess a rather limited capacity for repair, repeated brain bruising or torn blood vessels can result in cognitive and memory problems later in life. More tomorrow.