The power of cocoa polyphenols against neurodegenerative diseases

Now, a new study from the Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO, Center for Biotechnology, Temple University, Philadelphia PA USA) and the University of L'Aquila (Italy) shows that cocoa polyphenols triggers neuroprotection by activating BDNF survival pathway, both on Aß plaque treated cells and on Aß oligomers treated cells, resulting in the counteraction of neurite dystrophy. The findings, published on Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, may have important implications for prevention of cognitive impairment in elderly and in neurodegenerative diseases in counteracting disease's progression. "Our studies indicate for the first time the cocoa polyphenols do not act only as mere anti-oxidant but they, directly or indirectly, activate the BDNF survival pathway counteracting neuronal death" says Annamaria Cimini of the University of L'Aquila, lead author of the study.

"Understanding the preventive potential and the mechanism of action of functional food may provide a means to limit cognitive impairment progression" says Antonio Giordano, founder and director of the Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine.