Title:Role of BDNF Signaling in the Neuroprotective and Memory-enhancing
Effects of Flavonoids in Alzheimer’s Disease
Volume: 23
Issue: 8
Author(s): Meysam Amidfar, Michelle Lima Garcez, Gholamreza Askari, Mohammad Bagherniya*, Fariborz Khorvash, Sahar Golpour-Hamedani and Jade de Oliveira
Affiliation:
- Nutrition and Food Security Research Center, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical
Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Nutrition and Food Security Research Center, Department of Community Nutrition, School of
Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Keywords:
Flavonoids, BDNF, Alzheimer’s disease, memory, neuroprotection, pathophysiology of AD, BBB.
Abstract:
Background: Foods rich in flavonoids are associated with a reduced risk of various chronic
diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). In fact, growing evidence suggests that consuming flavonoid-
rich foods can beneficially affect normal cognitive function. Animal models have shown that
many flavonoids prevent the development of AD-like pathology and improve cognitive deficits.
Objective: Identifying the molecular causes underlying the memory-enhancing effect of flavonoid-rich
foods makes it possible to provide the best diet to prevent cognitive decline associated with aging and
Alzheimer's disease. Based on the most recent scientific literature, this review article critically examines
the therapeutic role of dietary flavonoids in ameliorating and preventing the progression of AD
and enhancement of memory with a focus on the role of the BDNF signaling pathway.
Methods: The databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus were searched up to
March 2023 and limited to English language. Search strategies were using the following keywords in
titles and abstracts: (Flavonoid-rich foods OR Flavonoids OR Polyphenols); AND (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic
Factor OR BDNF OR CREB OR) AND (Alzheimer's disease OR memory OR cognition OR).
Results: Flavonoid-rich foods including green tea, berries, curcumin and pomegranate exert their beneficial
effects on memory decline associated with aging and Alzheimer's disease mostly through the
direct interaction with BDNF signaling pathway.
Conclusion: The neuroprotective effects of flavonoid-rich foods through the CREB-BDNF mechanism
have the potential to prevent or limit memory decline due to aging and Alzheimer's disease, so
their consumption throughout life may prevent age-related cognitive impairment.