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Chronic Intake of Wild Blueberry Extract and Powder Maintains Episodic‐Like and Working Memory During Normal Aging in Mice
Author(s) -
Fromentin Emilie,
Krazem Ali,
Henkouss Nadia,
Roller Marc,
Beracochea Daniel
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.608.33
Subject(s) - working memory , episodic memory , analysis of variance , cognitive decline , audiology , cognition , memory impairment , psychology , medicine , neuroscience , disease , dementia
The number of Americans older than 65 years old is projected to more than double in the next 40 years. Cognitive changes associated to aging can affect adult's day‐to‐day functioning. Early memory changes include decline in both working and episodic memory. The aims of the present study were to determine whether chronic (up to 75 days) daily administration of wild blueberry ( Vaccinium angustifolium ) extract or a wild blueberry whole fruit powder would help prevent memory failure associated with aging, in tasks involving various forms of memory. Both blueberry ingredients were used in a study comparing young mice (6‐month old) to aged mice (18‐month old). At this age, mice exhibit memory declines due to aging, which are exacerbated first by losses in working and contextual (episodic‐like) memory. Contextual (Episodic‐like) memory was evaluated using the Contextual Serial Discrimination test (CSD). Working and spatial memory were evaluated using the Morris‐Water maze test and the Sequential alternation test. Statistical analysis was performed using an ANOVA with Bonferroni post‐hoc test. Supplementation with wild blueberry powder and blueberry extract resulted in significant maintenance of contextual memory, while untreated older mice experienced a decline in such memory. Only the wild blueberry powder significantly contributed to the maintenance of spatial and working memory versus untreated older mice. These improvements of cognitive performance may be related to brain oxidative status, acetylcholinesterase activity, neuroprotection, attenuation of immunoreactivity.