The BRAIN Initiative: Why brain mapping matters

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President Obama’s BRAIN Initiative (Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies) pushes for brain mapping as a way to seek treatment for brain injuries and brain-related diseases, like Alzheimer’s and autism.

In brain mapping, the anatomy and function of the brain and spinal cord are examined “through the use of imaging (including intra-operative, microscopic, endoscopic and multi-modality imaging), immunohistochemistry, molecular and optogenetics, stem cell and cellular biology, engineering (material, electrical and biomedical), neurophysiology, and nanotechnology.” These procedures will provide an image of not only the structure of the brain but also its cellular and subcellular elements.

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One of the strong supporters of the brain mapping initiative is the Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics, which believes that brain mapping will revolutionize the healthcare industry as there will be reduced healthcare costs and morbidity. More jobs will also be created through biotech spinoffs.

The National Institutes of Health notes that the BRAIN Initiative is a timely project. Although there have been scientific breakthroughs in the last decade that explain how the brain works, treating neurological and psychiatric diseases will require a new generation of tools that will allow researchers to record signals from brain cells more frequently and efficiently.

The BRAIN Initiative will be launched next year with a federal funding of $100 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the National Science Foundation.

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Follow this blog dedicated to neurosurgeon Dr. Aria Sabit for more relevant information about the brain and spinal cord.

High-sugar diet makes a dull brain, a new study reveals

Sugar lovers, be warned. A study published in the Journal of Physiology provides another reason to lessen the intake of sugar, stipulating that a high-fructose diet may not only lead to obesity, but also exacerbates cognitive abilities leading to poor learning and memory deficits.

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In their series of experiments, the researchers observed that rats fed with a diet lacking omega-3 fatty acids and high in sugar demonstrated lowered learning performance and poor memory during a Barnes maze test. The researchers then reported that this type of diet increases (1) insulin and triglyceride levels, and (2) insulin resistance index -- determinants of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The high-fructose diet affected insulin receptor signalling and synaptic plasticity, leading to metabolic dysfunction and impaired cognitive abilities.

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The study also showed that the lack of essential fatty acids raises the risk for metabolic dysfunction, implying that a supplementation of omega-3 fatty acid can be consequential to counteract the harmful effects of unhealthy eating habits such as poor learning and memory deficits.

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Experts advise including the following food items in one’s diet to improve brain health:

• Nuts

• Fish

• Soybeans

• Tomato juice and spaghetti sauce

• Olive oil, nut oils, fish oils, flaxseed and avocados

A critical part of Dr. Aria Sabit’s job as neurosurgeon is to help educate patients on brain health. This Facebook page links to more articles and studies on brain health and neurosurgery.

Repetitive motion injuries: The perils of daily grind

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No one is immune to the strains of daily routines and activities. Commuting to and from work, working overtime, and running errands here and there can take their toll on the body, resulting to a condition known as repetitive motion injuries. Also known as repetitive strain injury or cumulative trauma disorder, repetitive motion injury (RMI) develops from the microscopic tears in the tissue which the body is unable to repair immediately.


Neurosurgeons, like Dr. Lisa Guyot and Dr. Aria Sabit, note that these muscular conditions are among the most common injuries in the US, and they are exacerbated by the strains of daily activities. Incorrect posture, twisting of the arm, muscle fatigue, trauma, and systemic diseases, in addition to repetitive motions, can lead to RMI. The pain can be debilitating enough that people could find it hard to perform their tasks well, affecting their productivity at work.

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The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) asserts that the disorder usually affects athletic people and those who play musical instruments. NINDS adds that people who perform carpentry, gardening, and computer work, as well as assembly line tasks, and meatpacking and sewing duties are also more vulnerable to RMI.


Generally, people with the disorder are advised to minimize or stop performing tasks which cause the symptoms. It is recommended that they take a break from their daily activities to give the body enough time to heal the affected areas. They’re also advised to perform warm-up and stretching exercises, and take painkillers or use splints to manage symptoms.

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Dr. Aria Sabit had been in the news for successfully treating a patient who had been suffering from repetitive motion injuries for 10 years. Learn more about the miracle surgery on Facebook.