As things move forward, were going to see more and more how much our Motor Ability actually is tied to the way we think and feel. And i want to know whether theres anything we can do to harness or boost neuroplasticity in our daily lives. On thisjourney, im going to give you three hacks to help strengthen crucial connections and keep our minds younger in the process. As a science journalist, ive always been fascinated by the workings of the mind. And today ive come to royal holloway, University Of London to scan my brain before embarking on a six week brain altering course. Jaw harp resonates im just taking a moment to settle into this posture. This is thorsten barnhofer, professor of Clinical Psychology at Surrey University. Hes currently running a study on the effects of mindfulness in managing stress and difficult emotions. Hes also been looking into how mindfulness changes the actual structure of the brain itself, showing signs of this Neuroplastic Rewiring even after just a few weeks. And what makes mindfulness especially impactful is that by reducing stress, it allows even more plasticity to take place. But will it work on my brain . Were about to enter the fmri scanner to see what my brain looks like from the inside. Im getting my brain scan before and after a period of doing just 30 minutes of meditation a day. Hi, melissa. How are you . Yeah, good. So all you need to do is just relax, try to keep still and look at the fixation cross. 0k. And itll last for about 15 minutes. Right, so thats quite a long time. But what exactly is neuroplasticity . Plasticity is the ability of the brain to change based on stimuli that its given. These are the basis of learning and memory. Its a really dynamic process that involves the whole brain. And Something Else really fascinating that weve only learned recently, the brain will even change its structure. Our brain is constructed from a billion of neurons, and when neurons fire together, they. Its called wire together. They become stronger and the connection between them becomes stronger. These can change and shift. A lot more in the early years of life than they can as we get older. Of course, theyre still changeable later on. L and thats really what we call brain plasticity, the ability of the brain to keep reorganising itself throughout the lifespan. That affects the functional networks in the brain. And a functional change will be what areas of the brain are connected to what areas. Theres also a structural part of plasticity, mainly changes in how the areas are organised in the brain, whether areas are more dense or less dense. Well, neuroplasticity actually is the mechanism through which the brain repair itself. And now there are many waysl to harness and boost plasticity in patients with neurological disorders. So neuroplasticity, the brain responding to change, actually takes place all the time. But we have the power to influence this to some extent too, and theres good reason to want to boost it. Increasing studies suggest it can play a role in delaying degenerative diseases like dementia. It can also help us to rewire the brain after psychological trauma, meaning that trauma itself is not permanent. Back in the scanner, im shown a series of numbers and asked to recall the preceding number to test my working memory. There will be other processes underneath the Working Memory Process that get interesting. So, Mind Wandering will happen, and if Mind Wandering happens or it comes close to it, there will be a certain brain system that becomes more active. Mind wandering is something that, of course, might be helpful in many ways. It might help us with creativity, but its also something that can go awry. And this is where repetitive thinking comes in, where Ruminative Thinking comes in, where worry comes in. And those are the factors which increase stress. Stress hormones, for example, cortisol, it will go up. And if levels of cortisol remain high, that can actually become toxic for your brain, for regions of your brain which are very plastic. This shows that stress, amongst many other things, is a direct inhibitor of neuroplasticity. So, as part of my first brain hack, im training myself to manage stress through mindfulness. Over the following six weeks, im going to spend time learning to be as aware as possible to the present moment and see what impact this has on my brain. So what mindfulness does is it can buffer stress. You become aware of challenges. Those more ruminative responses, a tendency to worry, we cant take away the pain of any stressful situation, but theres a sense of us being able to choose what the next step is. So the very first step within this is to say, yes, lets come back from this complexity to something yes, lets come back from this complexity to something that is relatively simple and stay with that. So finding this point where the breath is most vivid for you and then following the breath moving into the body. And out of the body. I feel calmer already. But my mind was wander. Is the idea to not let your mind wander . Erm. So i was thinking about, like, oh, i need to send that email, i need to do this. And i was like, ok. How interesting. Think about breathing. Thats a really interesting observation. So first of all, we can feel that, actually, as im doing this, i come to it with the intention to stay with the breath, to keep my attention on the breath. And actually, what happens, this isjust what the mind does it will wander off. That tells you about the working of the mind. Thats something which is relevant. So we can simply go and say, ah thats what it is. We come back, go back to the breath. Go back to the breath. So we do two things at the same time, if you like. Were strengthening our muscle for attention for staying on the breath, and were cultivating our capacity to come back, to be more flexible in our attention. Were also gaining insight into the working of the mind because were realising, ah, this has come up. Ive known about the supposed amazing benefits of meditation for at least a decade. Have i incorporated that into my life . Er, no. Not at all. One reason for that is i dont often find myself sitting on a Peaceful Mountainscape in italy. My actual life looks more like this. Giggling telephone rings doorbell chimes cellphone rings offkey playing child whining one minute, one minute. Child babbling 0k. Ok, you get the idea, and im sure its the same for many of us. Thats why im especially grateful for thorsten explaining whats actually happening in my brain. Most consistent findings we see is in a region called the hippocampus, which is the main centre for regulating the cortisol axis of the brain. Its also involved in regulating emotions, and it plays an Important Role for memory. So, quite central functions. And then you see changes in other regions like the insula, for example, which is involved in whatever we do when we become aware of what were doing. Bodily awareness is one aspect of this. We see changes in regions that are involved in regulating our attention so, Frontal Cortex regions and regions that help us in our decision making, the anterior cingulate, for example. Well get to the results of these later, to see if my brain actually changed its structure. But i want to understand if there are any other hacks i can do concurrently that might also boost plasticity. So Aerobic Exercise is a very, very powerful way to enhance plasticity. This brings us to hack two move. The physical activity facilitates the procedure of plasticity. So if you combine physical. Activity with some cognitive tasks to improve some skills that you are interested in, l you probably will be able to do this in an enhanced way, in a better way. Our physical health and our Mental Health are absolutely tangled up together to create our quality of life. So we know the two things are tied, but cognitively theyre also tied. And this is a throwback to the evolutionary story as well. So, for example, we know that the bit of our brain that is responsible for speech is highly overlapping with the bit of the brain that does your motor dexterity. The reason for this is that we actually think that speech evolved from Motor Actions in our hands, probably a gestural system first. But whats interesting is that if you do Dexterity Practice with yourfingers, you can improve your verbalisation. And vice versa if you do vocal practice, it will improve your dexterity. And were here today at the birkbeck babylab. And tell me what pioneering work youre looking to do now with, like, really young babies, actually. So were super excited because were just launching this new Motor Cognition project called baby grow. The study will be monitoring Babies Development in their first 18 months with these smart, optimised baby grows and see how these track with Cognitive Development later on. One of the aims is to eventually be able to spot signs of cognitive disorders before they become apparent, so that interventions can be applied when the childs brain is especially plastic. Your brain is changing now, my brain is changing now, i but in children, it changes in a much higher pace and theres more plasticity. And it sort of allows children to have a different brain, | basically, every moment. And the way that their bodies move can tell us a lot about the way the brain is developing. There have been lots of studies that show that babies who have typical Motor Development tend to go on to have typical social and communication abilities. But then babies who might have early motor differences. That� s more associated with potential diagnoses for social and communication abilities later on in their life, maybe by four or five years old. But we dont really know why. Thats so fascinating. So, essentially, there is a link between how the body moves and how the brain develops. Can you tell me a bit more about that . This is exactly what we think. One of the special things about this project is that were looking at how Motor Development influences Cognitive Development. And this is quite different from traditional psychology because we tend to look at cognition as its own thing. Natural selection and evolution doesnt build new brain components for us just because were humans. We are building off of these old ones. And by having a wider view of what cognition is and where it came from, it can help us to understand how babies develop now, as modern humans. These insights bring a whole new perspective on the old adage healthy body, healthy mind. You have just to exercise at least 30 minutes a day. 30 minutes . 0k. Yeah. I think four or five times a week. And thats what keeping your brain healthy. But even more surprisingly, what we find is that theyre forming more notjust motor skills, but learning about cognitive tasks, learning how to navigate or Learning Music or a new language, changes even to these kind of Hardcore Connections of the brain that we used to think they were fixed. Its difficult. Soft tambourinejingling sorry. Dont. Boom. Firm tambourinejingling Soft Tambourinejingling and this is the third hack learn. Surprisingly, even rhythm has a big impact on how we learn notjust my questionable tambourine playing, but the rhythm of the brain. Applause so i went to the mecca of learning, cambridge university, to find out more. So the brain has its own rhythms, and sometimes we can think about it like we have our own rhythm, right . This is what we call individual variability. And in neuroscience, we now have techniques to be able to measure this individual variability. Now, if we can engage the brain by presenting information at its own rhythm, what we see is that the brain will learn better and faster. This is brand new research, right . Yeah. Can you talk me through how that experiment works . Its quite low tech, actually. So we use a very noninvasive way of measuring the brain rhythms, and thats with an eeg. And we ask volunteers to look at some information, engage with it, do a little bit of a difficult task. For example, maybe decide if they see a specific object in a very cluttered background. And thats quite hard and we can make it harder. And then we see how the brain tries to solve this problem and what rhythms it engages in to solve this problem. Now, once we know an individual� s brain rhythm, we can start engaging the brain in this rhythm. And we do it, actually, in a very simple way by presenting a flickering light. And actually, what we see is that, in specific rhythms, when you present a flickering light at that rhythm of the brain, the brain locks in to that. And then when it processes new information, the processing of that information is facilitated and people learn better the material, the information we presented. Think about that for a second. Something as simple as Light Flickering to my brains rhythm could actually make me learn new information better. And this Ground Breaking research could very well pave the foundation for future learning solutions, where digital lessons are presented in sync with an individual� s own brain rhythms, boosting plasticity and enhancing their ability to learn. Ok, but as exciting as this research is for the future, i promised you hacks for right now. And here, its beautifully simple mix it up. Variation gives our Brain Novelty to learn, to grow and constantly forge new neural connections. So, for example, when a baby starts to walk, they learn to walk on different surfaces. They dont learn how to walk on concrete or on grass. They learn somel general principles and they adapt their movement. And i think we can learn from this as well in what kind of environments we should put adults in. Were now doing a study. Where we are trying to see what the best way to train adults to adapt| to different gravities. And i think what were starting to see is that more variability experiencing different gravities and notjust one gravity | allows us to adapt better, so we can really learn some rules and not facts about adaptation. So i need to go somewhere else than just my local park, but, like, change direction and. I would say its better, yeah. Eventually, the more situations youre confronted with, then its easier for you to, you know, adapt to a completely new situation. It sounds like what youre saying is that we have a lot to learn from how children experience the world, and how can we better implement that . I think variability is one aspect. I another aspect is relatively low penalty for error. For example, when a child learns a language, if theyre doing a mistake, no one, you know, yell at them. How is your italian, melissa . Terrible. Yeah . Cant speak any italian. Shall we learn some italian now . Sure. All right. Do you know some basics . I literally dont know anything, no. Ive never done italian. Ciao. Ciao is good. Ok, thats a good start. Arrivederci. Although i also speak dutch, its Learning Anything new intensely that will build connections and grow my brain. When i learn. I mean, im learning russian now, and every mistake that im doing,. Even internally, when i do a mistake, i have a really high penalty for error. And then that sort. Of reduce my ability to adapt or to learn some foundational skills. Children are just trying stuff, and once they dont have high penalty for error, i they keep trying a lot of things. And that is allowing them to adapt this interplay between plasticity and environment. Come si fa. Como si fa. Com e. Come si fa. Children dont care. And this is whats nice about it. I think it helps them to learn. Theyjust dont care. Basically, embrace being bad, especially when were creating or learning new things. Duecento grammi. Si. E questa. He speaks italian practice and regularly exposing ourselves to situations where were learning new skills all helps the brain to continue to adapt and grow and even help stave off brain diseases. But its notjust preventative. The same idea comes into play when patients are recovering from serious brain injuries. Prof Angelo Quartarone works at a centre where he witnesses plasticity in action every day. Even in the worst conditions, the brain tries to repair itself in some way. Of course, with neurorehabilitation, we can accelerate recovering patients. We apply different techniques of rehabilitation, robotics, Virtual Reality all the sort of Rehabilitation Approaches and using neuromodulation technique, which can empower the process of neuroplasticity in these patients. Im talking about Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or transcranial Direct Current Stimulation. Those are techniques which are currently used to boost up plasticity. This patient has lost power in her right limbs, and angelos team are using two key ways to boost plasticity and help her regain mobility. The robot and game shes playing help by employing many of the tactics weve seen so far. Its repetitive, variable and intensive, inducing plastic changes in the affected neural networks. But importantly, its rewarding, which also helps strengthen these connections. Then theres the transcranial Direct Current Stimulation device thats the electric cap shes wearing, by the way which provides a low current across the affected brain area. While this current is too low to trigger the neurons into firing, it does mean that when they do fire, even weak signals are amplified, helping to make stronger connections. This electricity is boosting the plasticity already being forged by the robot and games training. So, essentially, youre harnessing the brains natural ability to change. So youre giving it a bit of a helping hand. Exactly. So you have a double hit. Thats amazing. And you can see that in the brain . Like when you take a scan, you can see this change happen . Yeah. You can use techniques, such as mri, or also electroencephalography, you can evaluate the connectivity of Brain Circuits at baseline and after all these procedures. And you can pick up how the brain rewires itself. Right. So ive been learning to meditate for six long weeks. So im curious to find out if anythings actually happened in my brain. Well see. After another brain scan, i went to Surrey University to find out. This is very exciting to see my brain on the screen. Thats your brain, yes. Do you see any results in my brain . Yes, of course. We see changes in the brain. Its alive. It always changes. Im alive thats a good sign. Thats a good sign. And we have some interesting changes that align with what we see in the literature. Im a sample size of only one, of course. Yes, exactly. So we need to be cautious, for all those who are scientifically minded they wouldnt forgive us. So what have you found . We looked at the amygdala thats in light blue one of each in each hemisphere, and they are very important for emotional processing. And we see change in that region, particularly. You do see change . Yeah, yeah. Thats amazing. The right amygdala is reduced in volume, and thats what you would expect as a stress reduction effect. So it gets bigger the more stressed we are. Its increased in people suffering from depression or anxiety disorders. And with mindfulness training, we see that reducing in volume, and theres a hint of that in your data. And i wasnt very stressed to begin with, but even so, we see a tiny decrease, which is. I think thats quite exciting. Exactly, yeah. But that wasnt the only change he saw. He also found changes in my posterior cingulate cortex, a region involved in controlling Mind Wandering and rumination. What was interesting to us was that we see an increase in the posterior region of this. Just that . Yes, in the darker blue. Its part of a wider distributed network in the brain, which is referred to as the default mode network. The system comes online when our mind wanders and, of course, thats something which is very central to meditation. And we have seen in previous studies changes in this region, and thats exactly what we find in your data also, a small change in that direction. Did it increase in size or decrease . It increased in size, which should be an indication of an increased control. So, literally, just by being mindful, i managed to increase a part of my brain that prevents my Mind Wandering too much . Plasticity means that theres constant flux, so we would imagine that consistent input is needed. So it sounds like i need to continue meditating and come back and see you in a year, and then well see some really significant things we would recommend, yes. Its amazing to think that, after only six weeks, there was a visible change in my brain. And that makes sense, because towards the end of it, i was feeling a lot calmer. But will i continue meditating into the future . Child yells hmm. Id love to say yes. Hello there. Well, storm babet continues to push northwards across the uk. Its impacts are likely to be felt for much of the rest of the week. In fact, the Met Office Hasissued its highest level of alert. Its a rare red warning in force for rain, valid from 6 00 on thursday evening right through until midday on friday. Its for northeastern areas of scotland, Parts Of Angus and southern aberdeenshire. The totals are really going to start to stack up. The rain is quite widespread across the uk as we head through the rest of the week, but nowhere more so than across northeastern areas of scotland, where there could be as much as two months� worth of rainfall by the time we get to the end of the day on friday around 200 250mm of rain. And that heavy rain is moving northwards this is storm babet, of course. The winds are strengthening out towards the east coast of scotland. Gusts of wind here of around 70mph. The winds lightening towards the south. Its turning drier here. It is a mild start to the day but, of course, the temperatures are largely academic. And so, that rain will continue to push northwards as we head through the morning. Sunshine and showers, some of the showers possibly heavy and thundery across england and wales. The rain will start to turn very heavy, very persistent. It aligns with that strong Southeasterly Wind as we head through the day on thursday and it willjust keep coming as we come into thursday night and friday morning itself. So, that Southeasterly Wind driving more rain, acting as a kind of conveyor belt. And there are wider Amber Weather Warnings in force across scotland as well, another one for rain across caithness and sutherland, and this one is for wind too. Now, with that brisk Southeasterly Wind, its not the prevailing wind direction, so there could be some trees down, likely to be some impacts from these strong, gusty winds. But this, of course, is of most concern within the red warning area. Now, there could be some extensive flooding, possibly some deep, fast flowing floodwater, maybe some structural damage as well. Some very tricky travelling conditions as well, so dangerous for travel. And then, we see a second area of low pressure. Thats just going to enhance the rainfall a little further, i think, on friday. But then, as that low pressure builds through, we still see these gusty winds out towards the east coast. The focus of that rain will tend to be across central areas of england, down through parts of wales and particularly the southeast of england as we head towards the end of the day. Still very windy for eastern coasts, but at least the Rain Lightens across scotland. Do keep tuned for the forecast. Live from washington, this is bbc news. A glimmer of hope for the suffering in gaza egypt says it will open up the Rafah Crossing to allow some aid to reach civilians. That deal was part of President Biden� s visit to israel, where he pledged unwavering us support. Hes now en route back to the us. As one leader departs, another enters, with the british Prime Minister on his way to israel on a Diplomatic Mission of his own. Hello, im sumi somaskanda. Thank you forjoining us. More blame and bloodshed in gaza, as World Leaders step up efforts to prevent the Warfrom Spilling into the wider region. As us President Biden returns to washington, Prime Minister rishi sunak is on his way to israel. There he will meet with israels pm Benjamin Netanyahu on thursday, adding to the push for humanitarian aide to be delivered quickly. That aid is set to start trickling in, through egypt. Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El sisi says the country will establish a Sustainable Aid Corridor using the Rafah Crossing, which connects egypt to gaza. President biden says egypt will allow 20 humanitarian aide trucks to roll through. So far, no timeframe was given for the aide� s arrival
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