Two New Scientific Articles On The Beneficial Effects Of Berry Polyphenols On Cognitive Impairment

Activ’Inside announces the publication of two new scientific studies, including one review, focusing on the beneficial effects of berry polyphenols on learning and memory impairments associated with age-related cognitive decline.

Spatial learning and memory deficits associated with impairments in hippocampus, a key region of cognitive functions, are commonly observed during aging. The beneficial role of dietary polyphenols has been suggested as potential supplements to prevent memory decline.

Dr Bensalem et al. has published a new article evaluating the role of an eight-week polyphenol-enriched diet, containing a polyphenol-rich extract from grape and blueberry, on spatial learning and memory deficits in mice, in the Morris water maze task. The polyphenol supplementation successfully reversed the learning and memory deficits by promoting the occurrence of spatial strategies and the expression of neurobiological factors involved in brain plasticity. The study concludes that supplementation with polyphenols could be an efficient nutritional way to prevent age-induced cognitive decline.

In addition, in the recent review published, Dr. Bensalem et al. present that polyphenols from berries are essential micronutrients particularly studied for improving cognitive functions. The paper highlights the cognitive health impact of major polyphenolic classes found in berries such as flavonols, anthocyanins and stilbenes through evidences demonstrated in animals and humans. The review discusses the potential benefits of berry polyphenols on memory impairment and neurodegenerative diseases. It also focuses on the bioavailability data suggesting that most berry polyphenols or their metabolites can access the brain in sufficient concentrations.

Both articles result from an international collaboration between academic and industrial partners brought together in Neurophenols® Consortium. This nutrition and memory research program is based on four years of research necessary to develop, within a pharmaceutical approach, an innovative solution for memory supplements.

The two new scientific publications:

• Bensalem J, Servant L, Alfos S, et al. Dietary Polyphenol Supplementation Prevents Alterations of Spatial Navigation in Middle-Aged Mice. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience 2016; 10(9): 1-16.
• Bensalem J., Dal-Pan A., Gillard E. et al. Protective effects of berry polyphenols against age-related cognitive impairment. Nutrition and Aging, 2016; 3(2-4): 89-106.

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