By "us" I mean "spinies" - especially those of us whose fusions include (will include) BMP.
When I first read this article, I thought surely the BMP referred to, must be some hitherto unheard of "BRAIN morphogenetic protein" but, no, it's the same "BONE MP" we've all heard of in spinal fusions. Weird. And even more important for us, than most.
Fascinating research, since it seems everyone's brains are slowed as we age, by BMP. One more process explaining how and why we experience cognitive decline over time. I take from it, one important fact (of particular relevance to us), and many questions.
Fact: Yet one more VERY important reason to exercise after fusion surgery!
Questions:
1) Does the BMP applied (how?) to our bones during surgery, cross the blood/brain barrier?
2) If so, how much more are we exposed to than by the general mechanism (whatever that is)?
3) What is the most helpful - and safe - AEROBIC exercise we can do after surgery (and how can this be increased as we fuse and have fewer limitations)?
I've read elsewhere that some surgeons apply "too much" BMP to the cut bones during surgery (inside the cages?) and that this can hamper the healing process.
I hope surgeons are paying attention to this research! Quite apart from THE great moderating social factor of BMP's prohibitive cost, it seems there is an even more important reason to use as low an effective dose as possible. (I sure can't afford to contend with even more of this natural slowing than already.)
Unfortunately, experience teaches me that policy makers in all areas, are mostly affected by ST (short term) calculations of success in given specialties (what else determines their own rewards?). This focus on ST/limited problem solutions, is IMO one of the main problems in the modern world. It's a demonstrable general "economic" flaw in individual and group decision making.
At least, I'm glad to have learned of this research about BMP. It's not just another "Cassandra finding", but comes with definite practical advice for everyone and (probably) especially for us. After all, chances are, we're much more exposed than average to BMP.
Now, to find out how we can most effectively turn that BMP brain "switch" to the OFF position! It certainly IS a great challenge when the more exposed population, are also more limited by the "nature of the Beast" in maintaining aerobic exercise. (And so far, it DOES appear to be aerobic exercise that does the most to reverse what I now think of as the "Lethargy effect" of BMP!) And yet, chances are, we need more "Noggin"! (Great name)
Encouraging to note that some of the most telling research comes from the Washington U Dept of Neurology. I dare say the spinal folks in the School of Medicine there - think Lenke/Bridwell, et al - will be even more apt to examine these questions about BMP exposure in their patient cohort. Expect they will be adding basic tests of cognitive function to their base-line evaluation and follow-ups. And I hope they will be testing some spinally fused rats who've been treated with BMP! Let's see how well (or poorly) they age compared to controls.
Meanwhile, I'm certainly that much MORE motivated to keep my treadmill free of dust!
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/0...n-on-exercise/
When I first read this article, I thought surely the BMP referred to, must be some hitherto unheard of "BRAIN morphogenetic protein" but, no, it's the same "BONE MP" we've all heard of in spinal fusions. Weird. And even more important for us, than most.
Fascinating research, since it seems everyone's brains are slowed as we age, by BMP. One more process explaining how and why we experience cognitive decline over time. I take from it, one important fact (of particular relevance to us), and many questions.
Fact: Yet one more VERY important reason to exercise after fusion surgery!
Questions:
1) Does the BMP applied (how?) to our bones during surgery, cross the blood/brain barrier?
2) If so, how much more are we exposed to than by the general mechanism (whatever that is)?
3) What is the most helpful - and safe - AEROBIC exercise we can do after surgery (and how can this be increased as we fuse and have fewer limitations)?
I've read elsewhere that some surgeons apply "too much" BMP to the cut bones during surgery (inside the cages?) and that this can hamper the healing process.
I hope surgeons are paying attention to this research! Quite apart from THE great moderating social factor of BMP's prohibitive cost, it seems there is an even more important reason to use as low an effective dose as possible. (I sure can't afford to contend with even more of this natural slowing than already.)
Unfortunately, experience teaches me that policy makers in all areas, are mostly affected by ST (short term) calculations of success in given specialties (what else determines their own rewards?). This focus on ST/limited problem solutions, is IMO one of the main problems in the modern world. It's a demonstrable general "economic" flaw in individual and group decision making.
At least, I'm glad to have learned of this research about BMP. It's not just another "Cassandra finding", but comes with definite practical advice for everyone and (probably) especially for us. After all, chances are, we're much more exposed than average to BMP.
Now, to find out how we can most effectively turn that BMP brain "switch" to the OFF position! It certainly IS a great challenge when the more exposed population, are also more limited by the "nature of the Beast" in maintaining aerobic exercise. (And so far, it DOES appear to be aerobic exercise that does the most to reverse what I now think of as the "Lethargy effect" of BMP!) And yet, chances are, we need more "Noggin"! (Great name)
Encouraging to note that some of the most telling research comes from the Washington U Dept of Neurology. I dare say the spinal folks in the School of Medicine there - think Lenke/Bridwell, et al - will be even more apt to examine these questions about BMP exposure in their patient cohort. Expect they will be adding basic tests of cognitive function to their base-line evaluation and follow-ups. And I hope they will be testing some spinally fused rats who've been treated with BMP! Let's see how well (or poorly) they age compared to controls.
Meanwhile, I'm certainly that much MORE motivated to keep my treadmill free of dust!
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/0...n-on-exercise/
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