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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #288975
Title: Dietary acai fruit improves cognition and mobility in aged rats

Author
item MILLER, MARSHALL - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item Fisher, Derek
item Carey, Amanda
item Poulose, Shibu
item Shukitt-Hale, Barbara

Submitted to: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/13/2013
Publication Date: 4/20/2013
Citation: Miller, M.G., Fisher, D.R., Carey, A.N., Poulose, S.M., Shukitt Hale, B. 2013. Dietary acai fruit improves cognition and mobility in aged rats. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Conference. Abstract 27:1083.3.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Açai is a black-purple fruit (genus Euterpe) cultivated in the Amazon delta and in Brazil (Euterpe oleracea Mart. -EO), as well as Bolivia (Euterpe precatoria Mart. - EP), and it is known to be rich in polyphenolics that may affect cell-to-cell signaling, receptor sensitivity, inflammatory enzyme activity, oxidant/antioxidant balance, and gene regulation. In previous studies, we have shown the beneficial effects of various berry fruits (blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries) in reversing age-related deficits in behavioral and neuronal function when fed to aged rats. Thus, the present study was carried out to determine if EO or EP, fed in the rat diet at 2% for 8 weeks, would be efficacious in reversing the deleterious effects of aging on motor and cognitive behavior in 19¬21 mo old Fischer 344 rats. Results for the motor testing showed that the EO, but not EP, diet improved performance on wire suspension. Additionally, both the EO and EP diet improved working memory, relative to controls; however, only the EO diet improved reference memory. Ongoing analysis compares enhanced behavior with brain levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and antioxidant status.