On Sat, 26 Sep 1998 15:08:26 -0700, Yoyo <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>> On Fri, 25 Sep 1998, Amadeus Schmidt wrote:
>>
>> > Adult brains don't grow anymore.
>
>  Perhaps not in total bulk, however new neural pathways and connections
>can be made at any time.  There is room enough for many new behaviors
>and thoughts.
>
>yy
Yes, of course even if our "hardware" brain doesn't grow anymore
its immense storage and processing capacities remain normally
not very far exploited.
Existing sysnapses can change their processing behaviour and
recently it has been shown that even new sysnapsis connections can grow in
the brain.
But the amout of brain cells decreases anter an age o
f about 3 months.

I don't know - as Ilya asked - if the brain fat is changed or
deteriorates over the time in adult brains. I think some brain
specialist could answer this. I'll ask if i meet one.
And also if the brain needed regular w-3 fat supply.
Or does somebody know here?

The barrier between blood and brain is rather strong controlled however
so that I'd expect the brain and its fat to be well protected.

One main essential stuff for keeping brains *running*,
which *has* to come directly from the food
is undoubtely vitamin b1.
Glukose is important too, but can be derived from many food resources.
The energy need of the brain (in form of glucose i think)
starts at 25 about Watt of energy.

Hm.. a little control computation:
That makes per day 25W *24hours *60 minutes * 60 seconds = 2.1 mio wattseconds
(1 WS = 1 Joule, isn't it)?
For example 100 g apple have 247000 J
oule.
So the brain alone needs the energy of about 800g Apples per day
in form of glucose - and the vitamin b1 to process it properly.
Not bad.

regards

Amadeus