The Effect of Grapes in Mice with Alzheimer's Disease and Brain Injury
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder resulting in cognitive and memory deficits and deposits of amyloid beta (Aβ) in the cortex and hippocampus are thought to be significant contributors to the disease process. Increasing evidence suggests that foods rich in polyphenols, such as pomegranates and grapes, may have neuroprotective effects in both rodents and humans. Our previous research has shown that a pomegranate-enriched diet decreased Aβ plaque load and improved behavior in Tg2576 mice. In this study, we determined whether a grape-enriched diet altered Aβ neuropathology and TBI in PSAPP mice. Mice received either craniotomy or a moderate TBI. Naïve mice (non-injured) underwent anesthesia. Mice consumed either a grape-enriched or a control diet for 8 weeks. Behavioral tests were administered 2 weeks after injury. CCI mice showed significant motor and memory deficits, with no effect of diet. The grape-enriched diet trended towards the reduction of lesion volume and motor deficits in craniotomy mice. Most surprising, CCI reduced fibrillar Aβ plaque load while diet did not have an affect on AD neuropathology. These results suggest that brain injury may be neuroprotective against the progression of AD.
Cognition and Perception, Experimental Analysis of Behavior, Psychology, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Alzheimer Disease; Brain Injuries; Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy; Neurofibrillary Tangles; Grape See Extract; Flavonoids - Therapeutic Use; Phytotherapy; Disease Models - Animal; Mice, Neurodegenerative Disorders; Cognitive and Memory Deficits; Polyphenols; Neuroprotective Effects
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