Neurobiology of exercise

Recently, Nature Neuroscience published a review titled "Be smart, exercise your heart:exercise effects on brain and cognition" by Hillman et al. It is an excellent overview of the science of 'your brain on exercise'. The research that the group gathered is multi-disciplinary, including epidemiological, molecular, animal, and human studies. Some interesting findings include:

1. Aerobic capacity and academic achievement is positively correlated in school-age children.

2. In older adults, cognitive ability is greatly increased in response to aerobic exercise training. Even total brain volume increases with exercise!

3. Animal studies on exercising rodents show increased cell proliferation (division and growth) in the 'memory center' of the brain, known as the hippocampus.

Imagine a pharmaceutical company came out with this ad: New drug! Will increase brain power, decrease fat, improve emotional health, and add decades to your life.

The reality is even better: no prescription is required.

Information: Holocaust reparations

This is shamelessly lifted off of an advertisement in the Los Angeles Jewish Journal. But I think it needs as much 'publicity' as possible. If you are anyone you know is eligible for this program, I encourage you to seek such services.

Advertisement in LA Jewish Journal, 01/18/2008:

German Ghetto Work Payment Program

The German government has announced a new, one-time payment of 2,000 Euros for Holocaust Survivors who performed "voluntary" work in a Ghetto. Bet Tzedek Legal Services is providing FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE to survivors who wish to apply for this payment.

If you think you might qualify, please call the Holocaust Reparations Hotline at:
(323) 549 - 5883

More on hip replacements

Now that I've begun exploring the subject, there is also another variable in hip replacements that isn't discussed with most patients: area of incision. You can use the posterior approach, which is incision through the buttocks, or the anterior approach, which is a much smaller and less invasive incision in the front of the hip. It seems that the anterior approach is much less invasive and involves a shorter recovery time, but it does require a surgeon experienced with this type of procedure, since it is more technically demanding. Once again, if you are going down this road, please add this to the long list of variables to consider.

I noticed a page-long ad by Dr. Robert Klenck in the latest issue of the Los Angeles Jewish Journal promoting his expertise in the technique.

That being said, in regards to my previous post, the most prominent company that makes hip replacement products and promotes minimally invasive hip surgery is Zimmer, Inc. It is also under investigation for paying kickbacks to doctors that use its implants.

Is nothing sacred?

Having surgery? Check the company!

According to a recent article in Wall Street Journal, Stryker Corp., a medical device company, violated the FDA's manufacturing rules. The hip implant and implant components that they produce were subject to numerous complaints over a period of two years (2005-2007).

What does this mean for you? If you are considering any kind of surgery, now you not only have to very carefully choose and research the utility of the surgery and the competency of the surgeon (which is a monstrous task in and of itself), but you also have find out what company makes the implants you will be receiving and if they have run into any trouble such as above.

In a related article, the WSJ discussed that many surgeons have financial connections to the companies they use for medical devices. Once again, dear patient, it is on your shoulders (healthy or otherwise) to make sure everything is as legitimate as possible when going down this road.