Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging Site Logo
ARS Home About Us Helptop nav spacerContact Us En Espanoltop nav spacer
Printable VersionPrintable Version     E-mail this pageE-mail this page
Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture
Search
  Advanced Search
 
Programs and Projects
Subjects of Investigation
 

Research Project: NEUROCOGNITION/NEUROSCIENCE

Location: Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging

Title: Blueberry supplementation improves memory in older adults

Authors
item Krikorian, Robert -
item Shidler, Marcelle -
item Nash, Tiffany -
item Kalt, Wilhemina -
item Vinqvist-Tymchuk, Melinda -
item Shukitt-Hale, Barbara
item Joseph, James

Submitted to: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: December 1, 2009
Publication Date: April 14, 2010
Citation: Krikorian, R., Shidler, M., Nash, T., Kalt, W., Vinqvist-Tymchuk, M., Shukitt Hale, B., Joseph, J.A. 2010. Blueberry supplementation improves memory in older adults. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 58:3996-4000.

Interpretive Summary: As the older adult population increases, so does the prevalence of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. Without effective therapy, it is important to find ways to prevent this problem. Blueberries contain compounds that are known to affect brain cell degeneration through such mechanisms as anitoxidants, anti-inflammatory, and brain signaling. We investigated the effects of daily consumption of wild blueberry juice in a sample of older adults with early memory changes. At 12 weeks, we observed improved learning and memory, as well as fewer symptoms of depression and lower glucose levels. The findings suggest that moderate blueberry supplementation has positive effects on brain function. Larger, controlled trials are necessary to study the ways in which blueberry consumption affects age-related memory decline and dementia in humans.

Technical Abstract: The prevalence of dementia, in particular Alzheimer’s disease, is increasing with the expansion of the older adult population. In the absence of effective therapy, preventive approaches are essential to mitigate this public health problem. Blueberries contain polyphenolic compounds, most prominently anthocyanins, which have been associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuronal signaling effects as well as enhanced metabolic function, key factors in neurodegeneration. We investigated the effects of daily consumption of wild blueberry juice in a sample of older adults with early memory changes. At 12 weeks, we observed enhanced paired associate learning (p = .009) and improved word list recall (p = .04). In addition, there were trends suggesting reduced depressive symptoms (p = .08) and lower glucose levels (p = .10). The findings of this preliminary study suggest that moderate-term blueberry supplementation can induce cognitive benefits. Larger, controlled human trials are indicated to study the preventive potential and mechanisms of effect of blueberry consumption with respect to age-related memory decline and dementia.

   

 
Project Team
Shukitt-Hale, Barbara
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Human Nutrition (107)
 
Related Projects
   THE EFFECTS OF WALNUTS ON AGE RELATED CHANGES IN NEUROPROTECTION, INFLAMMATORY SIGNALING AND BEHAVIOR
   THE EFFECTS OF ACAI BERRY EXTRACTS AND ITS COMPONENTS ON BEHAVIOR AND NEURONAL FUNCTION IN AGING
   NUTRITIONAL DETERMINANTS OF BRAIN AGING AND COGNITIVE DECLINE
   THE EFFECTS OF BB SUPPLEMENTATION ON COGNITIVE AND GAIT FUNCTIONS IN AGED HUMANS
   THE EFFECTS OF MUSHROOM SUPPLEMENTATION ON AGE-RELATED DEFICITS IN COGNITION AND MOTOR FUNCTION
   THE EFFECTS OF WALNUTS ON NEURONAL COMMUNICATION AND STRESS SIGNALING IN AGING
   THE ROLE OF STRAWBERRIES IN AGING: EFFECTS OF STRAWBERRY SUPPLEMENTATION ON MOBILITY AND COGNITION IN OLDER ADULTS
   EPIGENETIC MODULATION IN THE BRAINS OF YOUNG AND OLD RATS BY WALNUTS
 
 
Last Modified: 06/19/2013
ARS Home | USDA.gov | Site Map | Policies and Links 
FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Nondiscrimination Statement | Information Quality | USA.gov | White House