Natural chemical found in grapes may protect against Alzheimer's disease

The Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine ^ | July 15, 2011 | Unknown

[decimon]

Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have found that grape seed polyphenols—a natural antioxidant—may help prevent the development or delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease. The research, led by Giulio Maria Pasinetti, MD, PhD, The Saunder Family Professor in Neurology, and Professor of Psychiatry and Geriatrics and Adult Development at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, was published online in the current issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

This is the first study to evaluate the ability of grape-derived polyphenols to prevent the generation of a specific form of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide, a substance in the brain long known to cause the neurotoxicity associated with Alzheimer disease. In partnership with a team at the University of Minnesota led by Karen Hsiao Ashe, MD, PhD, Dr. Pasinetti and his collaborators administered grape seed polyphenolic extracts to mice genetically determined to develop memory deficits and Aβ neurotoxins similar to those found in Alzheimer's disease. They found that the brain content of the Aβ*56, a specific form of Aβ previously implicated in the promotion of Alzheimer's disease memory loss, was substantially reduced after treatment.

Previous studies suggest that increased consumption of grape-derived polyphenols, whose content, for example, is very high in red wine, may protect against cognitive decline in Alzheimer's. This new finding, showing a selective decrease in the neurotoxin Aβ*56 following grape-derived polyphenols treatment, corroborates those theories.

"Since naturally occurring polyphenols are also generally commercially available as nutritional supplements and have negligible adverse events even after prolonged periods of treatment, this new finding holds significant promise as a preventive method or treatment, and is being tested in translational studies in Alzheimer's disease patients," said Dr. Pasinetti.

The study authors emphasize that in order for grape-derived polyphenols to be effective, scientists need to identify a biomarker of disease that would pinpoint who is at high risk to develop Alzheimer's disease.

"It will be critical to identify subjects who are at high risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, so that we can initiate treatments very early and possibly even in asymptomatic patients," said Dr. Pasinetti. "However, for Alzheimer's disease patients who have already progressed into the initial stages of the disease, early intervention with this treatment might be beneficial as well. Our study implicating that these neurotoxins such as Aβ*56 in the brain are targeted by grape-derived polyphenols holds significant promise."

This research was funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Giulio Pasinetti is a named inventor of a pending patent application filed by Mount Sinai School of Medicine (MSSM) related to the study of Alzheimer's disease. In the event the pending or issued patent is licensed, Dr. Pasinetti would be entitled to a share of any proceeds MSSM receives from the licensee.

[decimon]

Ping

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Another "food has things in it that are good for you" study.

The only amazing thing is that academics find it amazing.

[celtic gal]

Well now, just tell this one to my grape eating hubby who has ALZ. It is all just crap...read a lot, have a college degree...blah blah..my mother was a surgical supervisor, my uncle had been the CEO of Sunkist..both died of ALZ..now my DH who is a geologist by university degree and attack pilot by profession has it..these so called experts can all go pound sand.

[Conservative Vermont Vet]

Gee, considering how much I like Red Wine (and imbibe in a glass or 2 several times a week with dinner as has been my practice for 30 years or so) I guess I'll remain sharp as a tack for many more years to come, even though 68 is approaching fast.

Now, where did I put my car keys? lol

[martin_fierro]

I'll drink to that.

[SunkenCiv]

“grape seed polyphenols”

Thanks decimon.

[combat_boots]

I’m sorry, FRiend.

[Da Coyote]

My thoughts go to you and yours.

AZ is (to me) the worst affliction of all, because it steals your very essence and leaves the body to wilt.

Bad stuff.

[BuffaloJack]

More liberal feel good bullsh!t.
It was only two weeks ago that the cause for Alzheimer’s disease was announced. Alzheimer’s plaques turned out to be the caused by the very same bacteria that causes stomach ulcers, helicobacter pylori.
Treating Alzheimer’s with diet is no different that the way they used to treat ulcers with antiacid tables, going after the symptoms but not the cause.

[Free Vulcan]

...and in 15 minutes you can save a bunch of money with Geico and buy yourself a whole heap of grapes.

[N. Theknow]

I deeply sympathize.

I watched my Mom cover for Dad for almost a decade until it became more of a problem than she could handle.

At times, we did not know whether to laugh or cry for some of his antics.

He got quite agitated during a visit to us one Christmas and I gave him a book of trains, which were a lifetime, favorite hobby of his, and he settled down for three glorious days.

Mom said whenever he would get out of sorts, she would give him the book.

Since your hubby is a pilot, perhaps a book of planes might be something useful to have handy.

[celtic gal]

One equally as bad as ALS..robs the body of it’s function but the mind knows what is going on...like the last light on the top of the Christmas tree to go off.

[rmlew]

They don’t eat the seeds. The antioxidents in grape skin are not found in grape seed and vice versa. Some are water soluble and some fat soluble.

[celtic gal]

I don’t care if they eat seeds or not..I don’t care if they eat the dirt the grapes grow in or what fertilizer they use or don’t use...those of us who live with an ALZ patient and are the full time, non paid, over worked, tired, frustrated, sad, lonely and even angry don’t give a hoot in hell what the so called scientists have to say about what causes ALZ..it is all crap. Just like when Cranberries back in the 50s caused cancer..
The fact is they don’t know what causes it let alone how to prevent it..what was it...the nuns study? those that didn’t read a lot got it compared to those who did? hooey..those who were not as well educated got is as compared to those who were? Then explain why some well read, highly successful people get it? I and if you take fish oil or ginko or swiss cheese..they don’t know how to prevent it. In all the scientific studies for whatever the disease, until the cause is known with certainty and the means to prevent or cause remission or a cure is known I wish they would just shut up. And yes I am having a VERY BAD DAY WITH ALZ TODAY WORSE THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE.