New Research on Grape Extract and Alzheimer’s
Ξ June 26th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ A Day at a Time, Technology, Wine News |
Promising new research published in the June 18th issue of The Journal of Neuroscience has found a positive correlation between certain grape extracts and the the inhibition of amyloid protein accumulation in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s. A press release from the Society of Neuroscience reads,
“The researchers tested a grape seed polyphenolic extract product sold as MegaNatural-AZ, made by Polyphenolics, which in part supported the study. Polyphenolic compounds are antioxidants naturally found in wine, tea, chocolate, and some fruits and vegetables. To determine whether the extract could mitigate the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, the researchers used mice genetically modified to develop a condition similar to Alzheimer’s disease. They exposed pre-symptomatic “Alzheimer’s mice” to the extract or placebo daily for five months. The daily dose of the polyphenolic extract was equivalent to the average amount of polyphenolics consumed by a person on a daily basis.”
The principle researcher, Dr. Giulio Pasinetti, MD, PhD, of Mount Sinai School of Medicine was named in ‘07 to lead The Center of Excellence for Research in Complementary and Alternative Medicine created by a grant from the National Institutes of Health. The Center’s focus is on Alzheimer’s disease,
“The new Center has been awarded an estimated $8 million grant over the next five years to continue its research and study of ‘age defying diets.’ There will be an emphasis on grape-derived compounds that may be able to delay or possibly prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.”
The new research adds to the list of significant chemical compounds found not only in wine but in tea and cocao.
“Chemical analysis showed that the major polyphenol components in the study’s grape seed extract product are catechin and epicatechin, which are also abundant in tea and cocoa. These components differ from resveratrol, a polyphenol that has been reported to reduce amyloid beta secretion in cells and generally increase lifespan by mimicking calorie restriction. Resveratrol appears to be effective only at extremely high doses, which may limit its use in people. In contrast, the catechins in the extract product studied appear to be effective at much lower doses.” [SFN op. cit.]
As a person with a loved one so afflicted by this awful disease, I look forward to human trials of these promising compounds.
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