DNA in our Brain BREAK When We Learn Something New!

I certainly didn't expect to discover that in my research!

DNA Day (International DNA Day or World DNA Day) is April 25th and was first commemorated in 2003 and organized by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). It was initially meant to recognize the work of those that published the first paper on the structure of DNA back in 1953 (James Watson, Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins, Rosalind Franklin and colleagues).

First a little bit about the structure of DNA. 

DNA consists of two stands which are anti-parallel to each other which form a spiral formation linked by hydrogen bonds better known as a double-helix. (It's much more technical than that so if you are interested in learning more, start with this Wiki page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_helix).

So what's the interesting thing going on with the DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) in our brains? 

Well apparently when we are learning something new, during the learning activity, the DNA in our brain experiences a double-strand break (DSB)... yes our DNA breaks! Yet, after the activity, the DNA re-bonds rather quickly within a 24-hour period. Whew.

Interestingly enough, for those with Alzheimer's or similar mental illness, the break either takes longer to heal or don't heal at all.

But this double-strand break is normal folks. It's a normal part of our brain activity. DSB occurs in various parts of our brain but it is more prevalent in our Dentate Gyrus (necessary for spatial memory-used when you're learning a new physical environment like if you moved to a new city). Our Dentate Gyrus resides deep within our Hippocampus.

Though my drawing focuses in on the Dentate Gyrus area, I included some notes on what we learn as we grow up. The learning of some of these things resides in other parts of our brain, but the same DSB happens there. So I highlighted one of these DSB but note, as mentioned above, DSB occurs in various areas of the brain when we're learning something. Things on the list that do involve spatial memory include learning to drive, ride a bike and swim.

Now go break some DNA stands and keep learning! :)

Feedback is always welcome.

Regards,

Michelle Hunter

Contemporary Artist
Tel: (646) 504-5034
www.hunterart.com
info@hunterart.com
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• The Brain Series of Paintings, so far: http://hunterart.blogspot.com/p/brain-paintings.html
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The Brain and Sleep for National Napping Day!

Oh happy National Napping Day to all of you! Gotta love these unofficial holidays :)

For this blog post, featured below is a painting from my Brain Series on the Brain and Sleep.



Zzzzzzz (Sleep) (c) Michelle Hunter

http://hunterart.blogspot.com/2011/05/new-painting-nap-time.html

National Napping Day was started in 1999 by Boston University professor William Anthony, Ph.D. and his wife Camille Anthony. This holiday was started as a way for Americans to adjust to Daylight Savings Time where we lose an hour of sleep.

A good amount of research has been done on this subject. Results have proven that one can be more productive during their day when they take a mid-day nap. Try it, you'll see.

Benefits of napping include:

• Recharges you and Relives stress: Having a long day, feeling stressed out or feeling sluggish. Take a nap! You can awaken recharged and more alert to tackle what else lies ahead. An effective nap interval would be from 20-40 minutes.
• Better able to retain what you've learned: If you're able to get in an hour or hour and a half nap, you can sustain a high level of brain activity throughout the day versus a declining amount if you don't nap. A rested brain can more easily retain what had been learned.
• Do ideas tend to come to you when at rest? hint hint... Have something on your mind that you need to resolve and an answer isn't coming to you. Take a nap! The burst of energy that the brain receives after a nap can help get those creative juices flowing.
• Improve productivity: Who will get more work done during the day? Someone that works 8-hours straight or someone that works for 4 hours, takes a nap and works an additional 3 hours? Answer is the one that takes a nap! Work is done at a slower pace with more distractions if one works through the day. After a nap though, you can handle the rest of your days tasks with the same energy you walked in with. You'll get more done in that time and can work more efficiently.

Happy Napping!! zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Regards,

Michelle Hunter

Contemporary Artist
Tel: (646) 504-5034
www.hunterart.com
info@hunterart.com
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Get a FREE handwritten postcard from me! Join my mailing list here: http://eepurl.com/OUkJ
Contact me to commission a painting or drawing (info@hunterart.com / 646-504-5034)
The Brain Series of Paintings, so far: http://hunterart.blogspot.com/p/brain-paintings.html
Purchase prints to fit your space here: http://www.hunterart.imagekind.com
Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hunterart
Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/artcoholic
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