Dietary Levels of Pure Flavonoids Improve Spatial Memory Performance and Increase Hippocampal Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor

Abstract

Evidence suggests that flavonoid-rich foods are capable of inducing improvements in memory and cognition in animals and humans. However, there is a lack of clarity concerning whether flavonoids are the causal agents in inducing such behavioral responses. Here we show that supplementation with pure anthocyanins or pure flavanols for 6 weeks, at levels similar to that found in blueberry (2% w/w), results in an enhancement of spatial memory in 18 month old rats. Pure flavanols and pure anthocyanins were observed to induce significant improvements in spatial working memory (p = 0.002 and p = 0.006 respectively), to a similar extent to that following blueberry supplementation (p = 0.002). These behavioral changes were paralleled by increases in hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (R = 0.46, p<0.01), suggesting a common mechanism for the enhancement of memory. However, unlike protein levels of BDNF, the regional enhancement of BDNF mRNA expression in the hippocampus appeared to be predominantly enhanced by anthocyanins. Our data support the claim that flavonoids are likely causal agents in mediating the cognitive effects of flavonoid-rich foods.

A role for hippocampal PSA-NCAM and NMDA-NR2B receptor function in flavonoid-induced spatial memory improvements in young rats

“…We have further shown that pure flavanols and anthocyanins when administered separately result equally in improvements in learning and memory as well as in modulation of BDNF levels in the hippocampus, strongly suggesting that flavonoids are the active components driving the beneficial effects of flavonoid-rich foods in brain function (Rendeiro et al., 2013). The present data supports our recent study in young animals showing that a 7-week intervention with blueberry resulted in significant improvements in spatial memory, along with BDNF regulation in the hippocampus (Rendeiro et al., 2012).…”

Tart cherry supplementation improves working memory, hippocampal inflammation, and autophagy in aged rats

“…This one-trial learning was not found in the control group. Studies using aged animals and aging models have reported that daily consumption of polyphenol-rich foods improves spatial learning and memory performance (Shukitt-Hale et al 2007;Williams et al 2008;Rendeiro et al 2009;Shukitt-Hale et al 2009a, b;Willis et al 2009;Rendeiro et al 2013). Because tart cherries contain a plethora of flavonoids and other phenolic compounds [ (Kim et al 2005), reviewed in (Ferretti et al 2010;McCune et al 2011)], and accumulate in the brain in a dose-dependent manner, it is not surprising that short-term intake of tart cherries led to improvement in spatial working memory.…”

BDNF mediates adaptive brain and body responses to energetic challenges

“…Extracts or purified phytochemicals from a range of plants have been shown to induce the expression of BDNF in rat neurons [70, 71]. A general mechanism of action of such phytochemicals is that they activate adaptive cellular stress response pathways resulting in the up-regulation of defenses against oxidative stress, energy deficits and inflammation [72].…”