Researchers have long known that populations of humans which consume moderate amounts of red wine are more resistant to several diseases, and among these diseases is Alzheimer’s disease. Recent studies into the exact molecular reasons which link red wine and neurodegenerative disorders indicate that, among its many other qualities, resveratrol combats Alzheimer’s disease.
As always, we will take a quick look at Alzheimer’s before getting into how resveratrol works against this common disease.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Most of us are aware of some of the long term effects of Alzheimer’s, if not the pathology of the disease itself. People with Alzheimer’s have a form of dementia, which reducing memory capacity first, then progresses to other brain functions in including control of the body. Alzheimer’s always leads to death.
The exact reason why some people get this disease is unknown. What is known is that Alzheimer’s is caused by improper production and reduction of peptoids called amyloid-beta.
These peptoids do two different things in Alzheimer’s patients. First, they fold improperly in the brain, causing what are called neurofibrillary tangles. They also accumulate when not reabsorbed, which leads to the formation of senile plaque on different areas of the brain. Both of these conditions must be present for an Alzheimer’s positive diagnosis.
Enter resveratrol
Studies have shown resveratrol to be effective both in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and in its prevention. The process is a bit involved, so stay with us!
Note that amyloid-beta peptoids are important to the function of the brain. They should normally be attached to a larger protein (APP) which is critical in neuron growth, development, and protection.
The problems occur when the amyloid-beta peptoids detach from the larger protein. These free floating peptoids eventually clump into the plaque which is present in Alzheimer’s patients, as well as getting tangles in the neurofibres.
Resveratrol does not halt the production of these peptoids, as that would be fatal. Instead, what it does is help facilitate the breakdown of the amyloid-beta, so that there is less to clump together and form the plaque.
Research has also shown that resveratrol can reduce the plaque already formed in different parts of the brain, although the exact reasons why are unknown. One theory is that it may bind the copper present in this plaque, freeing up the peptoids, which are then broken down through the metabolising processes resveratrol instigates.
