A group of Japanese scientists has recently discovered a potential way to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, a condition characterized by memory loss, by using plasmalogen found in certain seafood.
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The substance plasmalogen, found in certain seafood such as clams and sea urchins, may prevent the death of nerve cells in the brain, which is a cause of Alzheimer’s disease (Image: bc.sympatico) |
According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, researchers at Tohoku University conducted experiments on animals and confirmed that plasmalogen, found in certain seafood like clams and sea urchins, can prevent the death of nerve cells in the brain, which is a cause of Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s is a disease that leads to severe memory loss. Studies have found that the level of plasmalogen in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients is nearly 30% lower, although the exact role of this substance in Alzheimer’s remains unclear.
In their research, scientists provided plasmalogen to Alzheimer’s-afflicted mice and observed their ability to find food in a maze. The results showed a significant improvement in memory decline and learning ability in the mice.
In addition to clams and sea urchins, plasmalogen is also found in cattle brains; however, there are concerns about the risk of mad cow disease if consuming this food.
The researchers plan to commercialize a drug containing plasmalogen extracted from seafood next year.
TUONG VY
