Protecting and promoting brain health in aging
Renowned researcher and educator Janet Dubinsky, PhD, led an interactive workshop on “Neuroplasticity in aging” that was well attended by UMRA members and guests on November 9, 2022. Dubinsky is a professor in the U of M Medical School Department of Neuroscience and founder and director of BrainU, a professional development program for secondary school science teachers.
She began the workshop with a brief audience questionnaire to ask attendees about their current activities for protecting brain health. She then provided an animated video that reviewed the basics of neuroplasticity.
Neuroplasticity has to do with the ability of neurons, the basic functional cell of the brain, to talk with each other, through electrical and chemical signals, via pathways that can grow with use—or become reduced with disuse. Synapses, the junctions between the neurons that allow these signals to pass from one neuron to another, are essential to learning and memory. Contrary to popular belief, losing neurons is not a major occurrence with aging. Loss of synapses, however, is associated with aging, but it can be reversed with brain “exercises” that promote synaptic growth. While the formation of new synapses slows with aging, it is still possible and does occur. Some examples include stroke recovery, improved balance, motility, and memory.
Dubinsky then went on to discuss activities that promote synaptic growth. Appropriate sleep is a cornerstone of brain health, allowing the brain to rid itself of waste, particularly during slow-wave sleep. Sleep is also permissive of memory development.
One of the activities that activates multiple areas of the brain is having social interactions, particularly when accompanied with experiences like hiking, card playing, and traveling. Other activities like problem solving, putting puzzles together, reading, and exercising also are beneficial.
When asked what type of exercise she would recommend, Dubinsky said, “More than whatever you are currently doing!”
Dubinsky then repeated her question to the audience “How do you plan to ‘take care’ of your brain moving forward?” and the results were impressive, perhaps because of the various activities that UMRA provides access to.
—Frank Cerra, UMRA past president
Neuroplasticity in aging
Wed, November 9, 2022, at 11am
Janet M. Dubinsky, Ph.D.
Professor of neuroscience
U of M Department of Neuroscience
Event to be held via Zoom.
Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain, at any age, to rewire itself to function in new ways in situations of new learning, experience, or injury. This remarkable ability of the brain to be flexible, in both structure and function, to make new connections and adapt to the circumstances of life, will be the topic for discussion when Janet M. Dubinsky, Ph.D., joins us for UMRA’s Living Well Workshop at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 9, via Zoom.
Dubinsky is a well-known neuroscientist and community educator and a professor of neuroscience in the University of Minnesota Medical School Department of Neuroscience.
And in the spirit of learning new things, she will use ChimeIn—a web-based tool for collecting comments during a webinar—to interact with us during the program. Instructions and the link for using ChimeIn (optional, not required) will be emailed in advance to everyone who registers for the webinar.
In addition to her position in the Medical School, Dubinsky is a leader in the Graduate Program in Neuroscience (GPN), teaches undergraduate and graduate neuroscience, and is the founder of the BrainU professional development program. She has led and is currently a member of the GPN Public Engagement Committee, which runs Brain Awareness Week and the high school neuroscience competition Minnesota Brain Bee.
Dubinsky is a major contributor to knowledge generation in the metabolism and physiology of the brain, with particular attention to metabolic abnormalities present in Huntington’s Disease. She is also internationally known for her research on the impact of neuroscience knowledge on teaching. At the U of M, her work and teaching have been recognized with the Outstanding Contributions to Postbaccalaureate, Graduate, and Professional Education Award in 2011, and the CBS Stanley Dagley-Samuel Kirkwood Undergraduate Education Award in 2020–21.
In her teaching, Dubinsky helps students at all levels achieve and understand neuroplasticity. This workshop will be a unique opportunity for us to benefit from her great knowledge and gifts as an educator.
Please register and join us on Wednesday, November 9, for what is certain to be a fascinating, enlightening, and engaging presentation.
—Frank Cerra, M.D., UMRA past president
Want to try ChimeIn before the webinar? Go to https://chimein2.cla.umn.edu/join/741704 and respond to the open question(s).
Upcoming Events
Many life challenges that get in the way of quality of life and good health at home have little to do with medical issues. Cathy Lauring, our presenter for UMRA’s February 18 workshop, will explore a variety of resources to assist in keeping us healthy at home—including physical, emotional, cognitive, and financial services.
John Bantle will lead the discussion of A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson when the UMRA book club meets via Zoom on February 21.
Join UMRA members to watch two of the best hockey teams in the nation. UMRA has negotiated a discounted ticket price of $33.
Barbara Klick, RN, MBA, the presenter for UMRA’s February 25 Forum, has decades of experience working in human and veterinary medicine, and will bring her wisdom and perspective to our discussion about what we can learn from our pets about facing end-of-life challenges and decisions.
The Fourth Friday Book Club will meet via Zoom on February 28 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. CST to discuss The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.
Join members of the UMRA Hiking Club for a hike on March 3 at the Holland Lake Trailhead in Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan. It is the largest park in the Dakota County park system. Our route will take us on an unpaved trail with some roots, rocks, and easy hills. It will be about 5 miles for 2 to 2.5 hours. We will meet for an optional lunch afterwards somewhere nearby (TBD).
Will Craig discusses using local sources for family history.
The THEME is Insects
The UMRA Photo Club will meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in the meeting room of the Hennepin County St. Anthony Branch Library, in the small shopping center at New Brighton and St. Anthony Boulevards.
For those interested in lunch, meet at the Great Dragon at 11:30 a.m.
The UMRA Hiking Club will explore wildlife along the Mississippi River in Fort Snelling State Park. The 3.9-mile Pike Island Loop is generally considered an easy route and takes just over an hour. Hikers can leave at that point, or stay to add another short loop. The trail is located below the bluff on which the historic fort sits. The last time we were there we saw a lot of deer, and the river always provides fascinating views.
The UMRA Photo Club will meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in the meeting room of the Hennepin County St. Anthony Branch Library, in the small shopping center at New Brighton and St. Anthony Boulevards.
For those interested in lunch, meet at the Great Dragon at 11:30 a.m.
Theme to be announced.
The University of Minnesota Archives, with its major holdings largely tucked away in two huge underground caverns along the Mississippi River under the West Bank campus, holds the essential records of our University of Minnesota’s past. University Archivist Erik Moore will interpret the holdings and bring out a sampling of what it holds. We will also get a tour of the caverns (Minnesota Library Access Center), revealing where these precious materials are housed, including the original tapes of KUOM, now Radio K.
You are cordially invited to see Rick Huebsch, Associate VP for Research, Technology Commercialization at UMN, who will discuss UMN Technology Commercialization. Tech Comm facilitates the transfer of UMN innovation beyond the research lab, to benefit the public good, foster economic growth, and generate revenue to support the University's mission.
Do you have a box or several albums of old family pictures that you are not quite sure what to do with? Or perhaps you just want to find out more about your ancestors and are not sure where or how to begin. This meeting of the Family history group will be an open discussion.