title: The mechanisms of action of flavonoids in the brain: Direct versus indirect effects.
abstract: The projected increase in the incidence of dementia in the population highlights the urgent need for a more comprehensive understanding of how different aspects of lifestyle, in particular exercise and diet, may affect neural function and consequent cognitive performance throughout the life course. In this regard, flavonoids, found in a variety of fruits, vegetables and derived beverages, have been identified as a group of promising bioactive compounds capable of influencing different aspects of brain function, including cerebrovascular blood flow and synaptic plasticity, both resulting in improvements in learning and memory in mammalian species. However, the precise mechanisms by which flavonoids exert these actions are yet to be fully established, although accumulating data indicate an ability to interact with neuronal receptors and kinase signaling pathways which are key to neuronal activation and communication and synaptic strengthening. Alternatively or concurrently, there is also compelling evidence derived from human clinical studies suggesting that flavonoids can positively affect peripheral and cerebrovascular blood flow, which may be an indirect effective mechanism by which dietary flavonoids can impact on brain health and cognition. The current review examines the beneficial effects of flavonoids on both human and animal brain function and attempts to address and link direct and indirect actions of flavonoids and their derivatives within the central nervous system (CNS).
authors.affiliation: Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, 405 N. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Center for Nutrition, Learning and Memory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA.
authors.forename: Catarina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rendeiro
authors.affiliation: Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, 405 N. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Center for Nutrition, Learning and Memory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA.
authors.forename: Justin S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Rhodes
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, University of Reading, PO Box 226, RG2 6AP, Reading, UK. Electronic address: j.p.e.spencer@reading.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Jeremy P E
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Spencer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D005638:Fruit / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids
keywords: Blood flow; Brain; Cognition; Flavonoid; Memory; Plasticity