Extra-virgin olive oil preserves memory, protects brain versus Alzheimer's

The integrity of the connections between neurons, known as synapses, were preserved in animals on the extra-virgin olive oil diet. The Temple team also identified the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of extra-virgin olive oil. In order to investigate the relationship between extra-virgin olive oil and dementia, Dr. Praticò and colleagues used a well-established Alzheimer's disease mouse model. "Brain cells from mice fed diets enriched with extra-virgin olive oil had higher levels of autophagy and reduced levels of amyloid plaques and phosphorylated tau," Dr. Praticò said. Known as a triple transgenic model, the animals develop three key characteristics of the disease: memory impairment, amyloid plagues, and neurofibrillary tangles.




GETTY Prevent dementia: Experts have revealed extra-virgin olive oil could help protect against dementia He said the integrity of the connections between neurons, known as synapses, were preserved in animals on the extra-virgin olive oil diet. The researchers also identified the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of extra-virgin olive oil. The experts even said extra-virgin olive oil is better than fruit and vegetables alone and is far healthier than saturated animal fats. In the new study researchers show that the consumption of extra-virgin olive oil reduces the formation of amyloid-beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain.

Extra-virgin olive oil ameliorates cognition and neuropathology of the 3xTg mice: role of autophagy

(C) Percentage of freezing in the contextual and cued phase of the fear conditioning paradigm (CTR n = 11, EVOO, n = 10). Chronic administration of EVOO-rich diet decreases brain Aβ levels and deposition in 3xTg mice. [ 17, 18 ] As shown in Figure 5 C, ATG5 and ATG7 immunoreactivity was significantly stronger in EVOO-treated mice compared to controls suggesting induction of autophagy in this group of 3xTg mice. Starting at 6 months of age, 3xTg mice were randomized to receive regular chow diet (CTR) or diet enriched with EVOO (EVOO) until they were 12-month-old. (C) Representative images of brain sections from 3xTg mice receiving EVOO or vehicle (CTR) immunostained with HT7, AT8 and PHF13antibodies.


collected by :Lucy William