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Supplemental Use of Antioxidant Vitamins and Subsequent Risk of Cognitive Decline and Dementia. |
| Author(s): |
Maxwell CJ, Hicks MS, Hogan DB, Basran J, Ebly EM. |
| There are conflicting reports about the potential role of vitamin antioxidants in preventing and/or slowing the progression of various forms of cognitive impairment including Alzheimer's disease (AD). We examined longitudinal data from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging, a population-based, prospective 5-year investigation of the epidemiology of dementia among Canadians aged 65+ years. Our primary objective was to examine the association between supplemental use of antioxidant vitamins and subsequent risk of significant cognitive decline (decrease in 3MS score of 10 points or more) among subjects with no evidence of dementia at baseline (n = 894). We also explored the relationship between vitamin supplement use and incident vascular cognitive impairment (VCI; including a diagnosis of vascular dementia, possible AD with vascular components and VCI but not dementia), dementia (all cases) and AD. After adjusting for potential confounding factors assessed at baseline, subjects reporting a combined use of vitamin E and C supplements and/or multivitamin consumption at baseline were significantly less likely (adjusted OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.29-0.90) to experience significant cognitive decline during a 5-year follow-up period. Subjects reporting any antioxidant vitamin use at baseline also showed a significantly lower risk for incident VCI (adjusted OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.13-0.89). A reduced risk for incident dementia or AD was not observed. Our findings suggest a possible protective effect for antioxidant vitamins in relation to cognitive decline but randomized controlled trials are required for confirmation. Copyright (c) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel. |
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Mycelial extract of Cordyceps ophioglossoides prevents neuronal cell death and ameliorates beta-amyloid peptide-induced memory deficits in rats. |
| Author(s): |
Jin DQ, Park BC, Lee JS, Choi HD, Lee YS, Yang JH, Kim JA. |
| Ameliorating effects of methanol extracts of Basidiomycetes against in vitro and in vivo model of Alzheimer's disease were investigated. The extracts of Cordyceps ophioglossoides and Hypocrea citrina var. citrina prevented the beta-amyloid((25-35)) (Abeta((25-35)))-induced cell death in SK-N-SH neuronal cells. However, in rat model of Alzheimer's disease, 30-d intraperitoneal administration with only the extract of Cordyceps ophioglossoides significantly prevented spatial memory loss by intracranial injection of Abeta((25-35)), which was assessed in water maze task. Interestingly, the scavenging activity of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in Abeta((25-35))-treated cells was also found in the extract of Cordyceps ophioglossoides, but not in the extract of Hypocrea citrina var. citrina. These results suggest that the extract of Cordyceps ophioglossoides may protect the Abeta-induced neuronal cell death and memory loss through free radical scavenging activity. These results further suggest that Cordyceps ophioglossoides mycelium may be valuable for the protection from Alzheimer's dementia. |
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Carotenoid, tocopherol, and retinol concentrations in elderly human brain. |
| Author(s): |
Craft NE, Haitema TB, Garnett KM, Fitch KA, Dorey CK. |
| Antioxidants, such as tocopherols and carotenoids, have been implicated in the prevention of degenerative diseases. Although correlations have been made between diseases and tissue levels of antioxidants, to date there are no reports of individual carotenoid concentrations in human brain. Objective: To measure the major carotenoids, tocopherols, and retinol in frontal and occipital regions of human brain. Design: Ten samples of brain tissue from frontal lobe cortex and occipital cortex of five cadavers were examined. Sections were dissected into gray and white matter, extracted with organic solvents, and analyzed by HPLC. Results: At least 16 carotenoids, 3 tocopherols, and retinol were present in human brain. Major carotenoids were identified as lutein, zeaxanthin, anhydrolutein, alpha- cryptoxanthin, beta- cryptoxanthin, alpha-carotene, cis- and trans-betacarotene, and cis- and trans-lycopene. Xanthophylls (oxygenated carotenoids) accounted for 66-77% of total carotenoids in all brain regions examined. Similar to neural retina, the ratio of zeaxanthin to lutein was high and these two xanthophylls were significantly correlated (p <0.0001). The tocopherol isomers occurred in the brain over a wider range of mean concentrations (0.11-17.9 nmol/g) than either retinol (87.8 - 163.3 pmol/g) or the identified carotenoids (1.8-23.0 pmol/g). Conclusions: The frontal cortex, generally vulnerable in Alzheimer's disease, had higher concentrations of all analytes than the occipital cortex which is generally unaffected. Moreover, frontal lobes, but not occipital lobes, exhibited an age-related decline in retinol, total tocopherols, total xanthophylls and total carotenoids. The importance of these differences and the role(s) of these antioxidants in the brain remain to be determined. |
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Title:
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Prevention of dementia (including Alzheimer's disease) |
| Author(s): |
Kornhuber HH. |
| Prevention of dementia: Life expectancy still increases linearly, and the elderly part of the European population grows rapidly in relation to the young. Dementia, however, grows even more rapidly, because it increases exponentially after age 65; it will become a great burden if nothing is done. The discussion so far is concentrated on treatment, whereas prevention is neglected. The therapy of dementia, however, has limited effect. Contrary to a widespread opinion prevention is possible. Genetic factors alone dominate the fate of cognition only in about 3 % of the cases. Besides age, lifestyle and the vascular risk factors exercise a great influence. High blood pressure carries a fourfold risk, diabetes more than doubles the risk both of the vascular and of the Alzheimer type; combined even more. Especially cerebral microangiopathy is strongly associated with Alzheimer's dementia, it triggers the vicious circle which leads to amyloid deposition. The importance of the circulation is underestimated, because most of the microvascular cerebral lesions are not perceived by the patient. All the risk factors for Alzheimer's disease after age 65 are also vascular risk factors especially for microangiopathy: Apo-E4, oestrogen deficiency, insulin resistance, diabetes, arterial hypertension, high cholesterol, old age and increased plasma homocystein which is often caused by alcohol consumption even in moderate doses. A healthy life style with daily outdoor activity and a Mediterranean diet not only reduces the risk of dementia, but also of coronary death and cancer. Cognitively stimulating activity protects even more than physical activity against dementia; the basis for this is acquired in youth by education. Therapy with statines is advisable if atherosclerosis cannot be reasonably counteracted by physical activity and diet. |
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Title:
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Salvia officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: a double blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial. |
| Author(s): |
Akhondzadeh S, Noroozian M, Mohammadi M, Ohadinia S, Jamshidi AH, Khani M. |
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Salvia officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: a double blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial.
Authors: Akhondzadeh S, Noroozian M, Mohammadi M, Ohadinia S, Jamshidi AH, Khani M.
Source: J Clin Pharm Ther 2003 Feb;28(1):53-9
Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran and Institute of Medicinal Plants, Iranian Academic Centre for Education, Culture and Research, Tehran, Iran.
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