title: Cocoa extracts reduce oligomerization of amyloid-β: implications for cognitive improvement in Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by pathological aggregates of amyloid peptide-β (Aβ) and tau protein. Currently available therapies mediate AD symptoms without modifying disease progression. Polyphenol-rich diets are reported to reduce the risk for AD.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the present study, we investigated the AD disease-modifying effects of cocoa, a rich source of flavanols, which are a class of polyphenols. We hypothesized that cocoa extracts interfere with amyloid-β oligomerization to prevent synaptic deficits.
  
  
  METHODS
  We tested the effects of three different cocoa extracts, viz. Natural, Dutched, and Lavado extracts, on Aβ42 and Aβ40 oligomerization, using photo-induced cross-linking of unmodified proteins technique. To assess the effects of cocoa extracts on synaptic function, we measured long term potentiation in mouse brain hippocampal slices exposed to oligomeric Aβ.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results indicate that cocoa extracts are effective in preventing the oligomerization of Aβ, with Lavado extract being most effective. Lavado extract, but not Dutched extract, was effective in restoring the long term potentiation response reduced by oligomeric Aβ.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings indicate that cocoa extracts have multiple disease-modifying properties in AD and present a promising route of therapeutic and/or preventative initiatives.
authors: Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Merina
authors: M
authors: Varghese
authors: Department of Neurology and Neurobiology and Aging, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan.
authors: Kenjiro
authors: K
authors: Ono
authors: Department of Neurology and Neurobiology and Aging, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan.
authors: Masahito
authors: M
authors: Yamada
authors: Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Samara
authors: S
authors: Levine
authors: Department of Pharmacology and System Therapeutics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Nikos
authors: N
authors: Tzavaras
authors: Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Bing
authors: B
authors: Gong
authors: The Hershey Center of Health and Nutrition, The Hershey Company, Hershey, PA, USA.
authors: William J
authors: WJ
authors: Hurst
authors: Department of Pharmacology and System Therapeutics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Robert D
authors: RD
authors: Blitzer
authors: Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
authors: Giulio Maria
authors: GM
authors: Pasinetti
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002099:Cacao; D019706:Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010936:Plant Extracts; C075222:amyloid beta-protein (1-42)
keywords: Amyloid; diet therapy; oligomerization; polyphenols; synapses