The main idea presented in the TED talk revolves around the subject of Alzheimer’s disease or AD prevention. It is stated that the given neurological disorder cannot be cured or reversed after a certain tipping point, and many factors contribute to its progressions, such as age, genes, lifestyle, and cognitive reserves (Genova, 2017). It is important to note the fact that the most effective approach to reducing the rate and severity of AD symptoms is made through undertaking preventative measures since there is no direct and plausible cure for it. One should be aware that genes and aging are unalterable, which means that lifestyle adaptations can be helpful to reduce the chance of developing the disease, such as getting a full night of proper deep sleep, exercising, and maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system, and avoiding obesity and other metabolic issues. However, one of the key points of the presentation is that a person can eliminate and even live with AD by actively learning new skills and information, which means that new synapses are generated. Therefore, one should be willing and eager to learn and engage in cognitive tasks in order to utilize neuroplasticity to overcome AD.
The video was highly informative, and I learned that the process of learning new information and skills could be a preventative measure against the disease. I was already suspecting that many poor lifestyle choices, such as lack of sleep, unhealthy diet and weight, and physical inactivity, are major risk factors for AD, which is why I was surprised that the process of learning and experiencing could also prevent the disease occurrence and complication rates. In other words, I learned that AD is not physiologically preventable, but people can combat it by creating more synapses or neuronal connections through the acquisition of new knowledge and skills, which means one can function properly despite plaques destroying the brain cells. Thus, neuroplasticity plays an important role in ensuring that one’s cognitive capabilities do not become hindered, where connections eliminated by AD are replaced with a new connections through a learning process.
I fully agree with the main ideas presented in the TED talk because people are able to combat and prevent the disease by adhering to healthy lifestyle choices and regular cognitive stimulation. It is important to note that physical exercise, sleep, and a healthy diet can improve many aspects of one’s health, including AD occurrence rate reduction. The main reason why I agree with the presenter is that people should not be discouraged by their genetic predispositions and aging, which means that there is still a chance to undertake the necessary steps to avoid the complications of AD. The disease physiologically is irreversible, but it does not mean that one’s cognitive capabilities will be severely impaired. The presenter’s arguments are also logical and coherent with the current literature as well as common sense since the recommendations are beneficial in a multifaceted way.
I will certainly improve my sleep hygiene and find an interesting hobby, which will help me to stay cognitively active. I believe that my current diet and physical activity levels are sufficient to keep me healthy, but I sleep-deprived on a regular basis, which is why I will make the necessary changes to improve in this regard. In addition, in order to prevent AD in the future, I will start reading novels and fiction books to learn and experience new things, which will also help me to combat AD’s progression. Although I am fairly young to be at risk for the disease, I will develop these habits to harness my neuroplasticity for the benefit of the brain’s overall health. I will also consider learning a new and fully unfamiliar language in order to build new synapses or connections, which will help with AD prevention.
In order to learn more about the subject, it is important to analyze the current scientific literature on the topic. A study suggests that “harnessing neuroplasticity may not only offer an arm in the vast arsenal of approaches being taken to tackle neurological disorders, such as neurodegenerative diseases but from ample evidence, it also has major implications in neuropsychological disorders” (Sasmita et al., 2018, p. 1061). In other words, the researchers claim that neuroplasticity is not only a tool for prevention but also a potential cure and treatment for an already developed disease. It states that a regimen of therapies and exercises can be highly useful in combatting AD regardless of its severity or progression stage.
I would like to research the topic in regards to the physical activity being both a cardiovascular improver and a learning method. It is evident that the learning process and development of a cognitive reserve do not necessarily need to be a sedentary activity, such as reading and studying. One can be learning new skills and thus, develop or build new neuronal connections by engaging in novel physical challenges. Therefore, it is interesting to learn and research the effect of physical activity as an enhancer of neuroplasticity.
References
Genova, Lisa. (2017). What you can do to prevent Alzheimer’s [Video file]. Web.
Sasmita, A. O., Kuruvilla, J., & Ling, A. P. K. (2018). Harnessing neuroplasticity: Modern approaches and clinical future. International Journal of Neuroscience, 128(11), 1061-1077. Web.