Strawberries could fend off Alzheimer’s

Might strawberries as a snack or in your cereal, salads or smoothie assist defend your mind from Alzheimer’s? Possibly so, in line with a brand new examine from researchers at RUSH.

RUSH researchers discovered {that a} bioactive compound present in strawberries referred to as pelargonidin could also be related to fewer neurofibrillary tau tangles within the mind. Tau tangles are one of many hallmarks of Alzheimer’s illness, which is attributable to irregular adjustments with tau proteins that accumulate within the mind. The examine was revealed within the Journal of Alzheimer’s Illness on July 19.

“We suspect the anti-inflammatory properties of pelargonidin could lower general neuroinflammation, which can scale back cytokine manufacturing,” mentioned Dr. Julie Schneider, creator of the examine. Schneider is affiliate professor and neuropathologist within the Rush Alzheimer’s Illness Middle at Rush College Medical Middle in Chicago.

Cytokines are proteins produced by cells and may regulate numerous inflammatory responses. Irritation within the mind has been linked to Alzheimer’s pathology equivalent to plaques and tangles. The info means that pelargonidin could defend the getting old mind from growing Alzheimer’s illness pathology.

Amongst berries, strawberries are probably the most plentiful supply of pelargonidin.

“Whereas pelagonidin must be examined additional for his or her position in sustaining mind well being in older adults, this provides a easy change that anybody could make of their food regimen,” mentioned Puja Agarwal, Ph.D., an creator of the examine and dietary epidemiologist Rush Alzheimer’s Illness Middle and assistant professor of inside drugs at Rush College Medical Middle.

RUSH researchers checked out information they acquired from an ongoing long-term examine carried out by the RADC, Rush Reminiscence and Growing older Undertaking (MAP), which started in 1997. There was a complete of 575 deceased members with full dietary data through the follow-up and mind autopsies whose common age of dying was 91.3 years. A complete of 452 individuals have been non-carriers of the APOE 4 gene and a complete of 120 members with APOE 4, which is the strongest genetic danger issue gene for Alzheimer’s illness. Individuals have been assessed about food regimen utilizing a meals frequency questionnaire for as much as almost 20 years of follow-up previous to dying and standardized neuropathological analysis after dying.

Through the course of the examine, every particular person obtained annual, standardized testing for cognitive potential in 5 areas—episodic reminiscence, working reminiscence, semantic reminiscence, visuospatial potential and perceptual pace.

MAP contains individuals age 65 and older who have been residents of greater than 40 retirement communities and senior public housing items throughout northern Illinois. Those that enrolled have been largely white with out identified dementia, and all members agreed to bear annual medical evaluations whereas alive and a mind post-mortem after dying. The outcomes have been the identical after researchers adjusted for different components that would have an effect on reminiscence and considering abilities, equivalent to training, APOE 4 standing, vitamin E, and vitamin C. The associations have been extra strong amongst these with out dementia or gentle cognitive impairment at baseline.

“We didn’t observe the identical impact in individuals with the APOE 4 gene that’s related to Alzheimer’s illness, however which may be because of the smaller pattern dimension of people on this examine who had the gene,” mentioned Agarwal.

“The examine was an observational examine and doesn’t show a direct causal relationship. Additional analysis is required to know the position of diet in Alzheimer’s Illness, however this examine offers us hope on how particular dietary parts equivalent to berry could assist mind well being” mentioned Agarwal.