Kissed by a Sea Lion

At Dolphin Marine Magic in Coffs Harbor, Australia, I met my first Australian sea lion, neophoca cinerea. An absolutely beautiful creature in my brain’s opinion—an endangered species—I met one of them up, up close and personal. So personal I was kissed, no less. I will always remember the unbelievable softness of its snout as it pressed against my cheek; a lovely experience! More tomorrow.

Dolphin Marine Magic

Recently while in Australia, my friend Susan took me to visit Dolphin Marine Magic in Coffs Harbor. That was my first introduction Australian sea lions (neophoca cinerea). First discovered on Kangaroo Island , this species was hunted primarily for its oil and skins throughout the 18-19th centuries until it became commercially extinct. Currently listed as a threatened species under the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999) of Australia, they are now protected. This species of sea lion is one of the rarest pinnipeds in the world and is found only within the waters of two states within Australia. As such  it has one of the smaller ranges of pinnipeds worldwide, as well. Fortunately, Dolphin Marine Magic has a few of these gorgeous creatures, several having been born at the park so visitors can see them up close and personal. It is good for the brain to be exposed to new and different creatures. Travel to see new sights, hear new sounds, smell new odors, taste new tastes, and feel new touch, is an age-proofing strategy. More tomorrow. 

http://www.dolphinmarinemagic.com.au/

TBI - 4

People often ask, "What happens in the brain with sports-related Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)?" You may be familiar with the terms "neuron" and "axon." Neurons are the thinking cells that have an enhanced ability to transfer information from one neuron to another. Axons are the largest projection from a neuron. Most neurons have only one axon (and some can be a meter in length, running from the brain to the tip of the toe). Some axons are wrapped with a special insulation called myelin. These myelinated axons are able to transmit information to other neurons much more quickly than non-myelinated axons. Damage to the axons is one of the most common features of TBIs. Douglas H. Smith and David F. Meaney from the Department of Neurosurgery, U of Pennsylvania, reported their research in an article entitled: "Axonal Damage in Traumatic Brain Injury." The researchers found that axons are very susceptible to mechanical injury. They can swell, become brittle and break, and/or develop other neuropathologic changes. Yes, the brain can often heal following a TBI. However, damage from repeated blows to the head or from repeated falls in which the head strikes another object appear to be cumulative. This is a clear case of "prevention is better than cure."

TBI - 3

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) that results in disability is seen more often than one would wish. The name Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.; 1942)  comes to mind. Some consider among the greatest American heavyweights in the history of boxing. By the 1980's, Ali was already beginning to exhibit symptoms that included vocal stutters and trembling hands and by 1984 it was reported that he was suffering from pugilistic Parkinson's disease, common to head trauma from activities such as boxing. Eventually he would lose the ability to speak. The TBI can result in a neurodegenerative disease with features of  dementia. It may affect amateur or professional boxers, wrestlers, and athletes in other sports who suffer concussions. Repetitive concussions are common as well to quarterbacks, wide receivers, hockey and soccer forwards, and especially the goalies. Occasionally, even a baseball catcher defending home plate will experience a concussion. The so-called glory and excitement of such sports can exact a horrible price from the players. What happens in the brain that results in these symptoms of disability? More on that tomorrow.

TBI - 2

Sometimes a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) results in death. You may recall the story of Natasha Richardson. She was taking a beginner's ski lesson not far from Montreal, Canada, so the story goes, and fell. Reportedly, she was not wearing a helmet. Initially she thought she was fine and didn't need medical attention. Unfortunately, she developed a headache some time later and was taken to the hospital. She died at the age of 45. An autopsy report listed the cause of death as an epidural hematoma due to blunt impact to the head. What can you do to minimize the risk of a TBI? Avoid falling, for one. Many falls are preventable. Wear a helmet when engaged in any activity that might result in a head injury. That includes skiing, bicycle riding, skate boarding, and so on. Use a seat belt when driving or riding in vehicles. Stay alert, rested, sober, and aware when driving (e.g., never text and minimize cell-phone use as the brain cannot multitask effectively). You cannot prevent everything but you can prevent some things. And the brain you save may be your own. What about TBIs that do not result in death but that do result in injury? More on that tomorrow.

TBI - 1

It has been known for some time that trauma to the brain can contribute to a plethora of problems. Some impact routine brain functions and some are life-threatening. And of the many types of injuries to the brain, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) remains high on the research  radar. The Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) was founded in 1986 to develop research studies on TBI.  Since then, its mission has been expanded to include developing and implementing evidence-based guidelines for prehospital and in-hospital care of patients with TBI along with coordinating educational programs for healthcare professionals. They first published their Guidelines for the Management of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in 1995 (revised in 2007). The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) estimated that if these guidelines were followed routinely, deaths from TBI might be cut in half along with significant savings for rehabilitation costs. Sometimes people fail to realize the potential damage from TBIs. More tomorrow.

Toxins and Dementia Risk

Exposure to toxins is one of the four “threats” that individuals need to avoid if they want to protect brain function. In terms of brain health, current wisdom is that if you don’t smoke, never start and if you do smoke, stop. This has been validated by a study sponsored by Kaiser Permanente and published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. It found that smoking elevates the risk of both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. The study involved more than 20,000 ethnically diverse men and women. Results showed: a 157 percent heightened risk of Alzheimer's disease in people who had smoked more than two packs of cigarettes a day; and a 172 percent increased risk for vascular dementia, the second most common form of dementia. Researchers say the association between smoking and various forms of dementia is strong, but they do not know the exact reason. It has been shown before that people who smoke are more likely to have hypertension  high blood pressure) and cerebral vascular disease, as well as inflammation, and may contribute to the damage of brain blood vessels and cells.