“When every physical and mental resources is focused, one’s power to solve a problem multiplies tremendously.” Those who live by Norman Vincent Peale’s words here, will be happy to know you can also grow new brain parts in this process.
Good news just came in from Public Library of Science about a hopeful finding for those hope to rejuvenate damaged or aging brain tissue. Newly born neurons, produced continually in the hippocampus area, come with similar abilities as mature neurons. 
See these dentate granule cells labeled with green and red fluorescent proteins.
How these "adult-born" cells build their connections with the rest of the brain, and the extent to which they resemble new-born cells, would help scientists coax back cells lost with age.
Researchers used retroviruses to introduce one kind of fluorescent protein into the developing neurons and a second protein into the adult mouse brain. As a result of this treatment, the newly-born cells fluoresced green and the adult-born cells fluoresced red, so they could be observed for differences.
Through observation, researchers discovered that connections formed, evoked similar responses in both neuron types. Both cell types responded in the same dynamic manner to the stimulation, suggesting their ability to undergo synaptic plasticity is similar.
This discovery affirms the fact that at least some neurons that develop in adult brains can form connections that are indistinguishable from connections formed by neurons developed early in life.
The key is to do different things in new ways, and stay active. Does that discovery change how you’ll plan your work week?
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