title: Effects of pterostilbene and resveratrol on brain and behavior.
abstract: Age is the greatest universal risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. During aging, these conditions progress from minor loss of function to major disruptions in daily life, loss of independence and ultimately death. Because approximately 25% of the world population is expected to be older than age 65 by 2050, and no treatments exist to halt or reverse ongoing neurodegeneration, the need for effective prevention strategies is more pressing that ever before. A growing body of research supports the role of diet in healthy aging, particularly diets rich in bioactive phytochemical compounds. Recently, stilbenes such as resveratrol (3, 5, 4'-trans-trihydroxystilbene) and its analogue, pterostilbene, have gained a significant amount of attention for their potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic properties. However, evidence for the beneficial effects of stilbenes on cerebral function is just beginning to emerge. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the role of resveratrol and pterostilbene in improving brain health during aging, with specific focus on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory signaling and behavioral outcomes.
authors.affiliation: USDA-Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
authors.forename: Shibu M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Poulose
authors.affiliation: USDA-Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
authors.forename: Nopporn
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Thangthaeng
authors.affiliation: USDA-Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
authors.forename: Marshall G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: USDA-Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA. Electronic address: barbara.shukitthale@ars.usda.gov.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shukitt-Hale
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D000077185:Resveratrol; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D013267:Stilbenes; C107773:pterostilbene; D000077185:Resveratrol
keywords: Aging; Brain-signaling; Inflammation; Polyphenols; Pterostilbene; Resveratrol