Plastics..well close

Remember the movie The Graduate?  The word to remember was "plastics."  The word to remember now..is plasticity... same concept..malleable! A study at Yale University has harnessed the knowledge of what allows teens to change boats in midstream without undue stress. A teenage brain is able to wire, rewire and regenerate to "adapt to the changing motor, social and perpetual skills it acquires during it's adolescent years".  I read once that if an adult brain was to acquire the knowledge that a toddler brain learns in their first 3 years, it would literally burn itself out.  Come to think of it, I have seen a few fried people in my lifetime!! Anyway, this relearning or adaptability is called plasticity.  The gene they have found which allows an adult brain that has slowed down and plodded into adulthood is called Nogo Receptor 1....(No-go)  In normal levels, the brain is "hard-wired", if you will, but if that plasticity can be recaptured, stroke or spinal injuries or even those dealing with cognitive agility could adapt and re-learn...

I often wonder how much actual research is done with the horror stories we hear about where donations actually go.  The business arm of research seems to snatch up the majority of monies raised. But every now and then, there's a glimmer of hope......in lots of places.  This past few weeks, I've had the extreme pleasure of interacting with some of our youth, athletic and otherwise, during the great run for the basketball Final Four.  After the heartbreaking loss last week-end, I read many posts from these very same young men.  They are bright, compassionate and open...more so than I have seen of teenagers in a long time.  They are quick to thank adults and each other, they are quick to show emotion for their families, their teachers, coaches and teammates and they're bright enough to know it was a game! If these are the skills that those researchers at Yale are harnessing to help adapt older or injured brains to regroup.....then Hallelujah....my donations may just increase.  Hey, I've got plastic............in my wallet:-)