2 / 21
conferenceseries
.com
Volume 8
Journal of Alzheimers Disease & Parkinsonism
Dementia 2018
December 13-15, 2018
Page 21
Notes:
December 13-15, 2018 Abu Dhabi, UAE
13
th
Annual Conference on
Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease
Beneficial effects of a diet with walnuts in Alzheimer’s disease
Abha Chauhan and Ved Chauhan
NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, USA
A
myloid beta-protein (Aβ) is the major protein of amyloid deposits in the brain of patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).
Extensive evidence suggests neurotoxic effects of Aβ and the role of oxidative stress and inflammation in AD. Walnuts are
rich in components that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Previous
in vitro
studies have shown that walnut
extract inhibits Aβ fibrillization, solubilizes its fibrils, and has protective effects against Aβ-induced oxidative stress and cell
death in PC12 cells. In the Tg2576 transgenic mouse model of AD (AD-tg), we have reported the beneficial effects of dietary
supplementation of 6% (T6) or 9% walnuts (T9) [equivalent to 1 or 1.5 oz of walnuts per day in human] on the memory,
learning skills anxiety and motor coordination when compared to AD-tg mice on diet without walnuts (T0). The diets for the
experimental and control mice were comparable as regards to total calories and the contents of protein, carbohydrate and fat.
To understand the mechanism of beneficial effects of diet with walnuts in AD, we have recently studied the effects of walnuts
on Aβ levels and oxidative stress markers in AD mice. In AD-tg mice on diet with walnuts (T6, T9), the levels of soluble Aβ
were lower in the brain and higher in the blood when compared to T0 mice, suggesting that walnuts in the diet can increase the
clearance of Aβ from brain to the blood. We also observed significant decrease in free radical levels and oxidative damage (lipid
peroxidation, protein oxidation) coupled with increased antioxidant status (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione
peroxidase) in these T6 and T9 mice on diet with walnuts. In conclusion, these studies suggest that diet with walnuts may have
beneficial effects in reducing the risk, delaying the onset, or slowing the progression of AD because walnuts can help to improve
memory and learning skills, inhibit Aβ fibrillization and maintain Aß in the soluble form, decrease Aβ-induced oxidative stress
and Aβ-mediated cytotoxicity and reduce the levels of Aβ in the brain and increase Aβ clearance.
Biography
Abha Chauhan is the head of Developmental Neuroscience Laboratory (IBR) at New York. She is also an Adjunct Professor of the Neuroscience doctoral program
at the graduate Center of the City University of New York. She has received her MS and PhD from postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research,
India. From 1983-1984, she has worked as a Research Associate at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York. Then she joined IBR, where she has over 90
publications in the fields of Alzheimer’s disease. She has been awarded several research grants as a Principal Investigator and has served as the Editor of the book
entitled
Autism: Oxidative stress, Inflammation and Immune Abnormalities.
Abha Chauhan et al., J Alzheimers Dis Parkinsonism 2018, Volume 8
DOI: 10.4172/2161-0460-C8-057