The molecular basis of the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease through healthy nutrition

The Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brain shows numerous pathological phenomena, including amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, elevated levels of advanced glycation endproducts and their receptor, oxidative damage and inflammation, all of which contribute to neurodegeneration. In this review, we cons...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Experimental gerontology 2007-01, Vol.42 (1), p.28-36
Main Authors: Steele, Megan, Stuchbury, Grant, Münch, Gerald
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Alzheimer Disease - metabolism
Alzheimer Disease - prevention & control
Alzheimer Disease - therapy
Alzheimer’s disease
Antioxidant
Antioxidants - metabolism
Antioxidants - therapeutic use
Brain - immunology
Brain - metabolism
Cytokines
Dementia
Diet
Diet, Mediterranean
Disease prevention
Female
Humans
Inflammation
Male
Neuroprotection
Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Nutritional Sciences
Oxidative damage
Oxidative Stress
Reactive oxygen species
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Summary:The Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brain shows numerous pathological phenomena, including amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, elevated levels of advanced glycation endproducts and their receptor, oxidative damage and inflammation, all of which contribute to neurodegeneration. In this review, we consider these neuropathologies associated with AD and propose that inflammation and oxidative stress play major pathogenic roles throughout disease progression. It is believed that oxidative stress and inflammation not only play major roles early in the disease, but that they act in a reinforcing cycle, amplifying their damaging effects. Therefore, epidemiological studies indicate that anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective agents including those from medicinal plants and health promoting foods may protect against AD, possibly through scavenging of reactive oxygen species, cytokine downregulation and strengthening the neurons antioxidant defense. This concept is further supported by evidence that certain diets (such as a Mediterranean diet) have been associated with a lower incidence of AD. This review highlights specific foods and diets thought to lower the risk of developing AD and discusses the potential of healthy nutrition in disease prevention.
ISSN:0531-5565
1873-6815
DOI:10.1016/j.exger.2006.06.002