The human brain loses 5 to 10% of its weight between the ages of 20 and 90 years old. while some cells are lost, the brain is equipped with two compensatory mechanisms: plasticity and redundancy. Based on the results of a recent clinical study published in the online version of Brain, a Journal of Neurology, has found that for elderly subjects at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, hope may lie in brain plasticity.

Dr. Sylvie Belleville, PhD in neuropsychology, Director of Research at the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal (IUGM), which is affiliated with the Université de Montréal, is the principal author of this study.

“Brain plasticity refers to the brain’s remarkable ability to change and reorganize itself. it was long thought that brain plasticity declined with age, however, our study demonstrates that this is not the case, even in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease”, declares Sylvie Belleville.

These findings open countless new avenues of research including the possibility of improving the plasticity of affected areas of the brain, and slowing the decline in plasticity through pharmacological means or lifestyle changes, thereby allowing subjects with Alzheimer’s disease to enjoy several more symptom-free years.

The hypothesis behind this research was that certain cells traditionally involved in other brain processes could through a simple memory training program, temporarily take over since they themselves are not yet affected.

According to Dr. Belleville, “our research has validated our hypothesis. not only were we able to use functional imaging to observe this diversification, but we also noted a 33% increase in the number of correct answers given during a post-training memory task by subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who, incidentally, are ten times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease”.

The training program that was used was designed to help elderly subjects with MCI develop strategies, such as the use of mnemonics, for example, and promote encoding and retrieval, such as word lists, for example, using alternative areas of the brain.

“The hypothesis had already been raised, but our team was the first to provide scientific support using a functional neuroimaging protocol,” added Sylvie Belleville.

Researchers worked with thirty elderly subjects: 15 healthy adults and 15 adults with MCI. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to analyse brain activity in the two groups 6 weeks prior to memory training, one week prior to training, and one week after training. before the memory training, MRI in both the healthy elderly subjects and those with MCI showed activation in areas of the brain traditionally associated with memory. as expected, decreased activation was observed in subjects with MCI. after training, brain areas in elderly subjects with MCI showed increased activation in areas typically associated with memory, but also in new areas of the brain usually associated with language processing, spatial and object memory, and skill learning.

According to Dr. Belleville: “Analysis of brain activity during encoding as measured before and after the training program indicates that increased post-training activation in the right inferior parietal gyrus is associated with post-intervention improvement. The healthy area of the brain has taken over for the area that is compromised.”

Alzheimer’s diseaseAlzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease of the brain tissue that causes progressive and irreversible loss of mental functions. The most common symptoms of the disease include short- and long-term memory loss, mood and behavioural changes, and a declining ability to think and communicate. Some 100 years after its discovery, there is still no effective treatment to slow or prevent the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. on average, death occurs seven to ten years after diagnosis. The Canadian Study of Health and Aging estimates that by 2011, one in ten Canadians aged 65 and older will suffer from some form of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease will account for two thirds of the cases.

Material adapted from Université de Montréal.

ReferenceSylvie Belleville, Francis Clement, Samira Mellah, Brigitte Gilbert, Francine Fontaine, and Serge Gauthier (2011). Brain Training-related brain plasticity in subjects at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Brain, first published online (doi:10.1093/brain/awr037).