A role for hippocampal PSA-NCAM and NMDA-NR2B receptor function in flavonoid-induced spatial memory improvements in young rats

Catarina Rendeiro, Andrew Foley, Vera C Lau, Rebecca Ring, Ana Rodriguez-Mateos, David Vauzour, Claire M Williams, Ciaran Regan, Jeremy P E Spencer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

The increase in incidence and prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases highlights the need for a more comprehensive understanding of how food components may affect neural systems. In particular, flavonoids have been recognized as promising agents capable of influencing different aspects of synaptic plasticity resulting in improvements in memory and learning in both animals and humans. Our previous studies highlight the efficacy of flavonoids in reversing memory impairments in aged rats, yet little is known about the effects of these compounds in healthy animals, particularly with respect to the molecular mechanisms by which flavonoids might alter the underlying synaptic modifications responsible for behavioral changes. We demonstrate that a 3-week intervention with two dietary doses of flavonoids (Dose I: 8.7 mg/day and Dose II: 17.4 mg/day) facilitates spatial memory acquisition and consolidation (24 recall) (p 
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)335-344
Number of pages10
JournalNeuropharmacology
Volume79
Early online date11 Dec 2013
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2014

Keywords

  • BDNF; Flavonoid; Hippocampus; Learning; Memory; NMDR2B; PSA-NCAM

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