No abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD), which is one of the most common progressive neurodegenerative disorders affecting about 2% of the population over the age of 60 years (Lo Bianco et al. 2004), is characterized by severe motor symptoms, including uncontrollable tremor, postural imbalance, slowness of movement, and rigidity. The main hallmark of this disorder is a selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, which results in a dramatic depletion of dopamine in the striatum (Lotharius and Brundin 2002). Although the etiology of idiopathic PD remains unknown, previous studies have shown that a range of factors, such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and environmental toxins, have

Summary Astaxanthin (Ax), a carotenoid ubiquitously distributed in microorganisms, fish, and crustaceans, has been known to be a potent antioxidant and hence exhibit various physiological effects. We attempted in these studies to evaluate clinical toxicity and efficacy of long-term administration of a new Ax product, by measuring biochemical and hematological blood parameters and by analyzing brain function (using CogHealth and P300 measures). Ax-rich Haematococcus pluvialis extracts equivalent to 4, 8, 20 mg of Ax dialcohol were administered to 73, 38, and 16 healthy adult volunteers, respectively, once daily for 4 weeks to evaluate safety. Ten subjects with age-related forgetfulness received an extract equivalent to 12 mg in a daily dosing regimen for 12 weeks to evaluate efficacy. As a result, no abnormality was observed and efficacy for age-related decline in cognitive and psychomotor functions was suggested.