Research on Alzheimer's Disease over the past decade has focused on the build-up of beta-amyloid protein plaques in the brain as a likely cause of the decline in cognitive function associated with Alzheimer's. It is believed the plaques cause cellular damage and cell death due to oxidative stress. There has been some research that has indicated that polyphenols (antioxidant compounds), and particularly plant polyphenols, may slow the build up of these beta-amyloid plaques. Researchers from Mount Sinai Hospital and UCLA, funded in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), have found that the polyphenol-rich extract from grape seeds may help prevent the build up of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain.1
The researchers started with in vitro or "test tube" tests and found that the grape seed polyphenols prevented the beta-amyloid protein from aggregating into plaques. Taking the study to the next level, the researchers then tested the grape seed extract on mice. The researchers used special lab mice that develop the same type of beta-amyloid plaques that humans with Alzheimer's do, and orally administered grape seed extract to them. The researchers found the type of cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's was significantly reduced as was the amount of beta-amyloid proteins in the mice's brains, as a result of the grape seed extract. The researchers stated that the "study suggests that grape seed-derived polyphenolics may be useful agents to prevent or treat [Alzheimer's Disease]."
Whether or not grape seed extract will be helpful for Alzheimer's Disease in humans remains to be seen after much more testing has been done.
Learn more about the potential health benefits of Grape Seed Extract here.
1. Wang, J., L. Ho, et al. (2008). "Grape-derived polyphenolics prevent Abeta oligomerization and attenuate cognitive deterioration in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease." J Neurosci 28(25): 6388-92.
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