Compound
found in grapes, red wine may help prevent memory loss
Texas A&M University, Science
Daily
Ashok K. Shetty, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of
Molecular and Cellular Medicine and Director of Neurosciences at the Institute
for Regenerative Medicine, has been studying the potential benefit of
resveratrol, an antioxidant that is found in the skin of red grapes, as well as
in red wine, peanuts and some berries.
Resveratrol has been widely touted for its potential to prevent
heart disease, but Shetty and a team that includes other researchers from the
health science center believe it also has positive effects on the hippocampus,
an area of the brain that is critical to functions such as memory, learning and
mood.
In a study published online Jan. 28 in Scientific
Reports, Shetty and his research team members reported that treatment with
resveratrol had apparent benefits in terms of learning, memory and mood
function in aged rats.
"The results of the study were striking," Shetty said.
"They indicated that for the control rats who did not receive resveratrol,
spatial learning ability was largely maintained but ability to make new spatial
memories significantly declined between 22 and 25 months. By contrast, both
spatial learning and memory improved in the resveratrol-treated rats."
Shetty said neurogenesis (the growth and development of neurons)
approximately doubled in the rats given resveratrol compared to the control
rats. The resveratrol-treated rats also had significantly improved
microvasculature, indicating improved blood flow, and had a lower level of
chronic inflammation in the hippocampus.
"The study provides novel evidence that resveratrol
treatment in late middle age can help improve memory and mood function in old
age," Shetty said.
This study was funded primarily by the National Center for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) at the National Institutes of
Health. Shetty's lab is now examining the molecular mechanisms that underlie
the improved cognitive function following resveratrol treatment. He also plans
to conduct studies to see whether lower doses of resveratrol in the diet for
prolonged periods would offer similar benefits to the aged brain.
Story Source:
The above story is based on materials provided by Texas A&M University. Note: Materials may be
edited for content and length.
Journal Reference:
Maheedhar Kodali, Vipan K. Parihar, Bharathi Hattiangady, Vikas
Mishra, Bing Shuai, Ashok K. Shetty. Resveratrol Prevents Age-Related
Memory and Mood Dysfunction with Increased Hippocampal Neurogenesis and
Microvasculature, and Reduced Glial Activation. Scientific Reports,
2015; 5: 8075 DOI: 10.1038/srep08075
Cite This Page:
Texas A&M University. "Compound found in grapes, red
wine may help prevent memory loss." Science
Daily, 4 February 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150204184230.htm>.