Ascorbic acid and the brain: rationale for the use against cognitive decline.
This review is focused upon the role of ascorbic acid (AA, vitamin C) in the promotion of healthy brain aging. Particular attention is attributed to the biochemistry and neuronal metabolism interface, transport across tissues, animal models that are useful for this area of research, and the human studies that implicate AA in the continuum between normal cognitive aging and age-related cognitive decline up to Alzheimer's disease. Vascular risk factors and comorbidity relationships with cognitive decline and AA are discussed to facilitate strategies for advancing AA research in the area of brain health and neurodegeneration.
Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. fiona.harrison@vanderbilt.edu.
Fiona E
FE
Harrison
Brain Institute, Department of Neurology, NIA-Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Center Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA. bowmang@ohsu.edu.
Gene L
GL
Bowman
Geriatrics Department, University of Cologne Medical Faculty, Cologne 50937, Germany. maria.polidori-nelles@uk-koeln.de.
Maria Cristina
MC
Polidori
D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D064887:Observational Studies as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors
D001205:Ascorbic Acid