Alzheimer's Disease & DS: Connection and Treatments

According to Dr. Steven Kernie, an associate professor of pediatrics and developmental biology at UT Southwestern Medical Center and a pediatric critical care specialist at Children's Medical Center, states that every person with Down syndrome eventually will develop Alzheimer's disease. Kernie has a nine year old child with DS and is working hard to find solutions.

An estimated 10%-25% of untreated people with DS have AD at age 40-49 years, 20%-50% have AD at age 50-59 years, and remaining will have Alzheimer's disease when older than 60 years of age. Alzheimer's disease decreases survival in people with DS who are older than 45 years of age.

100% of people with DS who were autopsied showed varying degrees of plaque in the brain--a symptom of pre-Alzheimer's if not full blown Alzheimer's.

The Link Between Down syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease

The reason Alzheimer's disease is more common in people with DS is not completely known. Alzheimer's disease is associated with increased production of a compound called amyloid beta in the brain. Amyloid beta accumulates and causes loss of brain cells called neurons. Exactly how neuron loss occurs is not well understood. The higher risk for Alzheimer's disease in people with DS may be related to the extra copy of chromosome 21 because it leads to increased production of amyloid beta.

The age when symptoms of Alzheimer's disease actually develop may be related to a person's mental capacity (cognitive reserve) or some anatomic characteristics of the brain. That means people with greater brain weight, more brain cells (neurons), and more education may not have symptoms of Alzheimer's disease as early as people with less cognitive reserve. People with DS may develop symptoms of Alzheimer's disease earlier in life than other people because of their increased production of amyloid beta and their smaller cognitive reserve. (You can increase the cognitive reserve with Prozac. And break up the plaque with curcumin, see below.)

Alzheimer's Breakthrough

Yesterday, Dr. Oz featured a segment on The Dr. Oz Show focusing on the causes of Alzheimer’s disease. A new study has found that food preservatives called nitrosamines are killing the receptors in our brains, which may be leading to the current epidemic of Alzheimer’s.

This is a revolutionary breakthrough in understanding Alzheimer’s disease and what causes it.

Dr. Oz said that having diabetes or pre-diabetes increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Dr. Oz said that the stunning news is that even if we don’t have diabetes in the body, we may have it in the brain and the foods that we eat every day may cause it.

Dr. Suzanne de la Monte was doing research on another form of disease when she accidentally discovered the link between diabetes, preservative laden foods and Alzheimer’s disease.

Former U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona, MD recognizes Alzheimer’s as the epidemic of the future. When Dr. Oz asked him if he was convinced that we could prevent Alzheimer’s by what we eat, Dr. Carmona replied that he thought food could be very powerful and that it is an essential part of the equation. He said it is clear that obesity can be linked to Type II diabetes which can then be linked to Alzheimer’s or diabetes of the brain. He said although research is still being done, there are things we can do to mitigate and help prevent these types of diseases.

The four foods Dr. de la Monte is most worried about is smoked meat like bacon, ham and turkey, processed cheese foods, beer and white foods like white flour, white pasta, white rice and sugar. Dr. Oz said to look at the label on foods for “sodium nitrite” as this is one of the chemical preservatives that can break down the blood/brain barrier. Dr. Carmona said to stay away from foods containing nitrites as much as possible.

Dr. de la Monte said that many beers contained nitrites at the beginning of the brewing cycle, but that many of them have been cleaned up. Dr. Oz said his staff tried to find out which beers were the safest, but there are no ingredient labels to find out which contain nitrites at this time, and perhaps that will change. Dr. de la Monte did say that when comparing beer to processed meats and cheeses, the dangers of the processed foods were far greater than beer.

Dr. Carmona said that by staying physically active, eating wholesome foods, eating organic foods, and food with no preservatives or the least amount of preservatives will help us make sure that our brains don’t fall short as we age toward the longest life expectancy yet, which is now age 80. Dr. Carmona also recommended doing things that are intellectually stimulating like reading and writing. He also suggested doing things that we don’t normally do like combing the hair with the opposite hand and standing on one foot. He said these are all things that stimulate the brain to make new neuro-connections.

He said the good news is that with the new science on Alzheimer’s and making healthy choices we can help prevent lots of other diseases including cardiovascular disease. He called it a “win-win” all around.

Curcumin Reduces Plaque Build-Up in Alzheimer's Patients



Curcumin,the pigment responsible for turmeric’s yellow color, helps immune cells clear out the plaque build-up that is thought to play a role in Alzheimer’s disease, reports a study in the November 2006 Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease patients have defects in phagocytosis, the process immune cells use to reduce amyloid-beta, plaque deposits in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer's patients also have defects in their body’s ability to clear amyloid-beta plaques. In animal experiments, curcumin enhanced brain clearance of amyloid-beta. Thus, in the current study, researchers at UCLA Medical Center and the Greater LA VA Medical Center treated immune cells (macrophages) from six Alzheimer’s patients and three controls with curcumin in vitro and measured amyloid-beta uptake.

At baseline, the intensity of amyloid-beta uptake by the macrophages from Alzheimer’s patients was significantly lower in comparison to control macrophages. After treatment of macrophages with the curcumin compound, amyloid-beta uptake by macrophages from three of the six Alzheimer’s patients was significantly increased.

The age of the patient and the stage of the Alzheimer's disease appeared to influence the effectiveness of curcumin. The most benefit occurred in the cells from younger patients and patients with early-stage Alzheimer's. The curcumin appeared to have no effect on the macrophages from the healthy controls.

The researchers concluded, “Immunomodulation of the innate immune system by curcuminoids might be a safe approach to immune clearance of amyloidosis in the Alzheimer’s disease brain.”

This is why Jett takes Longvida Curcumin everyday!

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Alternative therapies may help treat dementia. If you are deficient in some nutrients, taking a supplement or getting more of that nutrient in your diet may help slow the progression of the disease. Many of the nutrients and herbs listed are used due to their supposed effects of increasing blood flow to the brain. Not surprisingly, many of them have a blood thinning effect and therefore can interfere or accentuate the effects of blood thinning medications. Dementia therapies, pharmaceutical or natural, should be used under the supervision of a qualified physician.

Nutrition and Supplements

• Phosphatidylserine (100 mg 3 times per day), a substance occurring naturally in the brain, shows promise in several studies. This supplement may increase levels of brain chemicals that deal with memory, according to several studies. Do not take phosphatidylserine if you are taking anticoagulants (blood thinners), and use caution if combining it with ginkgo for the same reason. There are great differences in quality among phosphatidylserine supplements. You should consider spending more for a more expensive brand, as they tend to be better than cheaper brands.
• Antioxidants may protect against the development of dementia. They may even slow the progression of dementia. In some studies, but not all, vitamin E (400 - 800 IU per day) combined with Aricept may slow cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer' s disease. Another antioxidant, coenzyme Q10 (10 - 50 mg 3 times per day), may also help the brain get more oxygen. The skins of dark berries also provide valuable antioxidants. Many naturally-oriented physicians recommend eating half a cup of frozen blueberries daily -- freezing makes the antioxidants in the skin more easily absorbed.
• Vitamins: biotin (300 mcg); B1 (50 - 100 mg), B2 (50 mg), B6 (50 - 100 mg), B12 (100 - 1,000 mcg), folic acid (400 - 1,000 mcg). No scientific evidence shows a direct benefit, but B12 and folic acid lower the levels of an amino acid in the blood that is often elevated in Alzheimer's patients. Injections of B12 may have the best results.
• Zinc (30 - 40 mg per day) is often deficient in elderly people, and may help improve memory.
• Some evidence suggests that L-arginine, an amino acid, may help in vascular dementia by increasing blood flow to the brain. The dose used was 1.6 g each day for 3 months.
• Essential fatty acids, such as those found in alpha linolenic acid (ALA), borage oil, and evening primrose oil, may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Dietary changes include eating fewer animal fats and more fish.

Herbs

The use of herbs is a time honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, you should take herbs with care, under the supervision of a health care provider.

• Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) shows the best evidence for treating early Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.
  
  
• Huperzine A, a chemical made from the plant Huperzia serrata, may improve memory in both vascular and Alzheimer's dementia, according to several studies in China. However, more studies are needed to know for sure. The usual dose is 200 mcg twice a day. Do not take huperzine A if you have liver disease or if you are about to have anesthesia.
• One study showed that lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) helped improve cognitive function in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's. The dose used was 60 drops per day.
• Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) leaf extract, called Brahmi, is used in Ayurvedic or Indian medicine to improve brain function and learning. However, no scientific studies have looked at bacopa to see whether it might help lessen symptoms of dementia. One study found that taking 300 mg of bacopa per day for 12 weeks seemed to improve cognition in healthy people.
• Lavender may be effective in terms of alleviating agitation associated with dementia. Lavender is not used internally but rather as an aromatherapy agent.

Homeopathy

Although few studies have examined the effectiveness of specific homeopathic therapies, professional homeopaths may consider remedies, based on their knowledge and experience, for treating dementia. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional type -- your physical, emotional, and psychological makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate treatment for each individual. Some of the most common remedies used for dementia are listed below.

• Alumina -- for dullness of mind, vagueness, slow answers to questions
• Argentum nitricum -- for dementia with irritability, especially with lack of control over impulses
• Cicuta -- for dementia after head injuries, especially with convulsions
• Helleborus -- for stupefaction, when a person answers questions slowly and stares vacantly
• Silica -- for mental deterioration with anxiety over small details

References:

Zhang L, Fiala M, Cashman J, Sayre J, Espinosa A, Mahanian M, Zaghi J, Badmaev V, Graves MC, Bernard G, Rosenthal M. Curcuminoids enhance amyloid-beta uptake by macrophages of Alzheimer's disease patients. J Alzheimers Dis. 2006 Nov;10(1):1-7.

http://newsfuzion.com/2011/04/08/dr-oz-reports-on-alzheimers-disease-breakthrough/

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/alzheimer_disease_in_individuals_with_down_syndro/article_em.htm

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/dementia-000046.htm



http://www.dallaschild.com/showarticle.asp?artid=819



Other sites for more information on DS & Alzheimer's Disease



http://sites.google.com/site/superdownsyndrome/alzheimers



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Jett's Complete Supplement List

You will notice that my list is a little longer than what is on the Changing Minds Foundation website. Each of our children are different, so your list will eventually look different according to your child's cues. Email me and I will send you a spread sheet that will help you keep track of dosage, side effects and other observations specific to your child.

Jett's Supplement List

MSB (multivitamin targeted for Down Syndrome)
Gingko Biloba
Curcumin Longvida
TriEnza Enzymes
B12 (Moms also may need to take)
Folinic Acid (Moms also may need to take)
BodyBio PC
BodyBio Balanced Oil (I give him Hemp oil right now.)
Vitamin D 3
Probiotics (or sheep milk yogurt/keifer)
Fermented cod liver oil
Vitamin B 6 (Milk thistle)
EGCG (green tea extract)
Evening Primrose Oil
Rhodiola Rosea
Floradix
Wild Blueberry Extract
L-tyrosine
Astragalus
Vitamin C
Coconut Oil
Prozac

Where to buy

(These are the cheapest prices & best brands unless generic kind works.)

40% off sale at invitehealth.com: GB (Ginkgo Biloba) Capsules- standardized to 24% Glycosides, and 6% Terpine Lactones

30% off at vitacost on probiotics, DHA, Omega-3 until 7/22.

Get these from Vitacost.com, (links for each):
Gingko Biloba http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-Ginkgo-Biloba-Extract-120-mg-300-Capsules
B12 http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-Vitamin-B-12-Methylcobalamin-Raspberry-Flavor
Folinic Acid http://www.iherb.com/Metagenics-FolaPro-120-Tablets/20940?at=0

This is the best over the counter choice, but see if your doctor will prescribe Deplin {folinic acid} at your next appt.)
Moms probably also need to take this:
http://www.vitacost.com/Thorne-Research-5-MTHF-5-Methyl-tetrahydrofolate
Vitamin D 3 http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-Baby-Ds-Liquid-Vitamin-D-Drops
Vitamin B 6 (Milk thistle) http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-Alcohol-Free-Milk-Thistle-Drops/?vbnpid=49852
Evening Primrose Oil http://www.vitacost.com/Natures-Answer-Liquid-Evening-Primrose-Oil Rhodiola http://www.vitacost.com/Natures-Answer-Rhodiola-Root
Megafood Optimal Potency Probiotic Megaflora, http://www.vitacost.com/MegaFood-DailyFoods-MegaFlora (Another brand to try is below.)

EGCG/Green Tea Extract: Decaffeinated and fluoride-free liquid: bodyecology.com $20, or 3 for $16.96 each or 4 for $15.96 each.

Fermented cod liver oil http://www.greenpasture.org/public/servicepages/searchresults/index.cfm?ObjectID=768&back=javascript:history.back%28%29;&find=cod%20liver%20oil&app=greenpasture&objectType=product&displayMethod=/dbc/methods/product/display/productDisplay_3D_basic_right_lytebox.cfm
(Let me know if the CLO is too expensive, I can find you an alternative. But this is the best.)

BB PC http://www.professionalbrands.net/www-professionalbrands-net-bodybio-e-lytebodybiopc3000mg8oz-html.html
BB Balanced Oil http://www.professionalbrands.net/www-professionalbrands-net-bodybio-e-lytebodybiobalanceoil16oz-html.html (You can make your own blend of this. Let me know if you don't want to buy the Balanced Oil.)

From nutrivene:
TriEnza Enzymes http://www.nutrivene.com/view_item.php?ProductID=247&
Curcumin Longvida http://www.nutrivene.com/view_item.php?ProductID=344& $34 plus $8 shipping. Or from phytosensia.com, $44.99 and discounts for 5/$39.99 or 10+ for 35.99 each. Shipping is free for orders over $50.


Probiotics http://www.nutriessential.com/shop/product_view.asp?id=152460&StoreID=7DF1736952024D7D905095869F15FB9C&private_product=0

Prozac (from your pediatrician, a child psychiatrist, or neurologist)

Introduce a new thing every 7 days or longer (I introduce only one thing a month now) and don't introduce anything else new (food/drink) during that time. Note any behavior, sleep, bowel movement and skin changes. Again, contact me and I will email you a chart to make it easier for you to track your child's reaction.

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Longvida Curcumin

Brief Overview

• Curcumin is a traditional healing herb in the cultures of India and other asian countries. Modern research has verified the medicinal value of curcumin, including indications as a potent anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and brain longevity nutrient.

• Anti-Inflammatory. In the brain, inflammation is suspected to be a causative agent of many neuro pathologies, including Alzheimer’s disease. Curcumin significantly inhibited pro-inflammatory substances generated by the immune cells. For example, in Alzheimer’s disease, the formation of amyloid plaques (characteristic of the disease) stimulates an over activation of the immune cells, creating a chronic state of inflammation. This continuous state of inflammation will eventually cause the death of neurons in the brain.
  

• Reduces Amyloid Plaques. In Alzheimer mice models, curcumin administration enabled the dispersal and clearing of amyloid plaques. There was also a partial restoration of dendrites which were damaged by the plaques.

• Prevention and Reduction of Diabetic Cognitive Decline. The diabetic condition brings about many changes in the brain which result in decreased levels of cognition. Curcumin, in research with diabetic rats, significantly reversed mental declines. Curcumin improved the acetylcholine levels (by reversing increases in acetycholinesterase – the enzyme which breaks down acetylcholine), reduced oxidative stress and inflammation.

• Attenuates damage to the blood-brain-barrier and brain after a stroke. The neuroprotective ability of curcumin extends to that of being protective against damage resulting from cerebral ischemia (i.e. a stroke). In research studies, the area of ischemia damage to the brain was significantly reduced, due to curcumin protecting the blood-brain-barrier.

• Protects against memory loss due to heavy metal toxicity. Lab animals fed curcumin in conjunction with the heavy metal lead, experienced less memory impairment than those not taking curcumin.

From http://www.memoryaction.com/content/Ingredient_Research.htm

Where to purchase

Nutrivene $34 plus $8 in shipping

http://www.phytosensia.com/Longvida-Curcumin-Supplements.item $44.99 plus $12 shipping to US
Instead of paying $28.11 for a 30 gram bottle, the bulk purchase is 1kg for $600. 1kg is like 33 of the 30g bottles. So the savings is substantial!

Dosage

For the Longvida Curcumin, 2000 mgs/day is the minimum dose adults have seen results at but you want to eventually work your way up to 4000 mgs/day. I saw results with Jett by 4 days at the 1st amount! Will improve verbal communication as well as muscle memory & much, much more that you can't see. (See article below.)

If your child gets irritable, too hyper or has diarrhea, reduce the dose and add in TriEnza enzymes to break down the phenols. Make sure your child drinks more water once you've introduced curcumin. It makes Jett very thirsty and constipated if he's not drinking enough water with it. In fact, at 8 months old, he said his first meaningful word: "water," four days after starting LC because he was so thirsty.

LC has a very mild flavor. I've had no problems with Jett taking it mixed in applesauce, cauliflower, yogurt or soft scrambled eggs.

Suggested Introduction Schedule

According to http://www.riverbendds.org/longvidadose.html, Dr. Leichtman and INI recommend not starting Longvida curcumin until one year of age due to "diet issues," which I'm assuming means difficulty in digestion. I do know that countries around the world have curcumin in infant formula. (I don't know how much or what form.)

Week 1 - 1/4 teaspoon (500 mg) in the morning.
Week 2 - 1/4 teaspoon (500 mg) in the morning. And 1/8 teaspoon (250 mg) no closer than four hours before bedtime. If it keeps him up at night or thrashing too much, change the time to 1/2 hour earlier the next night until you find a good time to give it.
Week 3 - 1/4 teaspoon (500 mg) in the morning. And 1/4 teaspoon (500 mg) closest to bedtime w/out disturbing sleep.

Week 4 - 1/2 teaspoon (1000 mg) in the morning. And 1/4 teaspoon (500 mg) at night.
Week 5 & 6- 1/2 teaspoon (1000 mg) in the morning. And 1/2 teaspoon (1000 mg) at night. Stay at 1 tsp for a while (a month) and then slowly increase until you get to 4000mg (2tsp) without diarrhea.

I only have my son on 1000 mg total so far because any more disturbs his sleep. He only weighs 16 lbs and I will eventually increase his dosage.
_________

Beyond Brain Health

by Chris D. Meletis, ND

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a popular spice that has been used for centuries in Southeastern Asia and India; curcumin, the main constituent of turmeric, is the main flavoring agent in curry dishes. Turmeric and curcumin have been studied extensively for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in a variety of health concerns.

It is important for any natural health-promoting substance to have the ability to transit through the digestive process and arrive intact in clinically meaningful levels in the blood, where the substance carries out its effects in the body. Researchers from UCLA have been able to resolve this challenge by increasing the bioavailability of curcumin in a unique form known as Longvida®. As was mentioned in the November issue of Vitamin Research News, in clinical studies, Longvida shows demonstrably increased levels achieved in the blood stream, and perhaps even more important is the ability of this breakthrough form of curcumin to cross the blood-brain barrier.1 (The blood-brain barrier is composed of a specialized layer of cells that restricts the passage of many substances from the general circulation into the brain. It presents a challenge in the treatment of brain conditions as it limits the ability of many therapeutic agents to enter the brain.)

This ability to optimize the absorption of curcumin is important in that curcumin’s benefits are multifactorial, and it may perhaps be one of the most scientifically researched natural compounds as literally thousands of studies investigating its effects have been carried out. This article will serve as a review of some of curcumin’s most promising qualities,2 several of which will be highlighted below.

Neurological Health

Curcumin’s influence on the brain is mainly attributed to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects; however, other mechanisms are apparent as well.3 In animal models of cognitive dysfunction, curcumin administration lowered amyloid beta (Abeta) (the principle component of senile plaques that are the driving pathology in brain disorders) by slowing the production of amyloid-beta precursor protein (APP).4 Curcumin will also bind to the Abeta fibrils and aggregates5 where it may have a direct effect on decreasing amyloid pathology.6 The anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-amyloid activity of curcumin in cognitive health makes it a promising area of research.7

In mood balancing, curcumin is thought to have potential clinical usefulness because of its ability to 1) Inhibit monoamine oxidase and thereby enhance the release of serotonin and dopamine and 2) Enhance neurogenesis, namely in the frontal cortex and hippocampus.8-9 Several animal studies highlight the benefits of curcumin in improving mood; curcumin boosted monoamine oxidase inhibition, enhanced serotonin and dopamine levels and reversed stress-related behaviors.10-12 Additional animal studies show a protective effect of curcumin against seizures as well; the neuroprotective and antioxidative effects are thought to be responsible.13-15

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Inflammation is widely used as a term to loosely define pathological immunologic effects. Overexpression of inflammatory pathways is undoubtedly associated with many disease processes. Curcumin exhibits a number of anti-inflammatory effects, and it has been studied in lung health and immune challenges. Controlling inflammation occurs at numerous levels; a number of studies have elucidated key areas where curcumin has an effective role in thwarting specific inflammatory processes thereby resulting in positive clinical outcomes.

Lung Health

In asthmatic mouse models, curcumin decreased the total number of leukocytes (white blood cells, a component of inflammation) and eosinophils (additional allergy-mediating cells) in lung fluid. Additionally, other inflammatory cells and mucus occlusion in lung tissues were decreased as well as IgE (a primary immunological mediator of allergy) in the lung fluid. Investigators of this study conclude that curcumin produced these positive effects through inhibition of NF-kappaB.16

Curcumin’s potent anti-inflammatory effects stem from its ability to modulate T and B cells, macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic and natural killer cells. It also down regulates the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukins 1, 2, 6, 7 and 12, and NF-kappaB as previously mentioned.17

Curcumin is a direct free radical scavenger in the lung tissue (and elsewhere), and can down regulate other pro-inflammatory mediators including matrix metalloproteinase, adhesion molecules and growth factor receptor genes, thereby exerting antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects in the lungs.18

As an adjunctive therapy to standard corticosteroid treatment in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), curcumin shows promise as well. Histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC-2) is an enzyme that plays a major role in how corticosteroids work; its function is decreased in circumstances of steroid insensitivity, and oxidative stress further compromises its function. Curcumin improves HDAC activity and thereby restores corticosteroid function.19

Joint Function

Curcumin also shows benefit in joint health. Animals with arthritis who were given curcumin experienced a dose-related suppression in arthritic signs and symptoms; markers such as infiltration of immune cells, synovial hyperplasia (thickening of inner joint tissue), destruction of cartilage and bone erosion were all halted by curcumin.20 Additionally, matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 3 (MMP-1, MMP-3) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-stimulated chondrocytes and fibroblasts (diseased joint cells) were also inhibited by curcumin in a dose dependent manner.

Furthermore, in an animal model of osteoarthritis, curcumin significantly decreased interleukin-1beta stimulated release of glycosaminoglycans (GAGS) with increasing doses to pre-experimental levels.21 In a similarly designed study using human chondrocytes (cartilage cells found in joints), curcumin inhibited several inflammatory markers including nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, interleukins 6 and 8 and MMP-3 all in direct relationship to the dose used.22 Curcumin’s potent anti-inflammatory effects on chondrocytes support its use in joint health.

Specific Organ Health

Curcumin and its metabolites offer protection for a variety of conditions and organ systems. At the root of curcumin’s efficacy in these areas are its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects, as previously discussed. The following are a few brief areas where curcumin research has provided some valuable insight into its protective effects.

Kidney and Liver

Tetrahydrocurcumin (THU1) is one of curcumin’s major metabolites and shows some of the highest antioxidative activity. THU1 has been shown to improve 2 major kidney functions, creatinine and urea clearance; it is also supportive in kidney health after kidney transplants. In the liver, previous studies have shown reduced liver damage from iron, aflatoxin- and benzo[a]pyrene- induced mutagenicity.23

Cardiovascular System

The effects of curcumin have been widely researched in the cardiovascular system. Benefits of curcumin here include diminished cardiotoxicity from Adriamycin (a chemotherapeutic drug) and supporting a healthy heart in diabetic patients. Curcumin’s anti-thrombotic (anti-clotting), anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects may also protect the health of the arteries and heart. Other effects include lessening the development of cardiac hypertrophy (enlargement) and heart failure in animals, and supporting healthy atrial and ventricular heart rhythm.24

Through other avenues of effect, curcumin may preserve heart muscle function after ischemic (lack of oxygen) or biochemical damage to the heart. Also, curcumin decreases the extent of cardiovascular remodeling in experimental models of pressure overload (when the pressure from the circulation is excessive on the heart it damages the muscle).25

Conclusion

The medical literature contains thousands of studies investigating the role of curcumin in health. Curcumin’s health benefits are wide ranging, and this brief review only provides a fraction of the data concerning curcumin. Already an effective agent for health promotion, a newer, highly bioavailable form of the herb called Longvida is now available, thereby increasing our access to curcumin’s benefits. An important aspect of this improved form of curcumin is its ability to enter neurological circulation by crossing the blood-brain barrier. This novel breakthough allows for potentially greater clinical benefits from curcumin.

References

1. Frautschy SA et al. Efficacy of curcumin formulations in relation to systemic availability in the brain and different blood compartments in neuroinflammatory and AD models at the 39th Annual Meeting of the Society of Neuroscience, Chicago, October 2009.

2. Srivastava RM, Singh S, Dubey SK, et al. Immunomodulatory and therapeutic activity of curcumin. Int Immunopharmacol. 2010 Sep 8. [Epub ahead of print]

3. Kulkarni SK, Dhir A. An overview of curcumin in neurological disorders. Indian J Pharm Sci. 2010 Mar;72(2):149-54.

4. Zhang C, Browne A, Child D, Tanzi RE. Curcumin decreases amyloid-beta peptide levels by attenuating the maturation of amyloid-beta precursor protein. J Biol Chem. 2010 Sep 10;285(37):28472-80. Epub 2010 Jul 9.

5. Yanagisawa D, Shirai N, Amatsubo T, et al. Relationship between the tautomeric structures of curcumin derivatives and their Abeta-binding activities in the context of therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. Biomaterials. 2010 May;31(14):4179-85.

6. Ringman JM, Frautschy SA, Cole GM, et al. A potential role of the curry spice curcumin in Alzheimer’s disease. Curr Alzheimer Res. 2005 Apr;2(2):131-6.

7. Frautschy SA, Cole GM. Why pleiotropic interventions are needed for Alzheimer’s disease. Mol Neurobiol. 2010 Jun;41(2-3):392-409. Epub 2010 May 2.

8. Kulkarni S, Dhir A, Akula KK. Potentials of curcumin as an antidepressant. ScientificWorld Journal. 2009 Nov 1;9:1233-41.

9. Xu Y, Ku B, Cui L, et al Curcumin reverses impaired hippocampal neurogenesis and increases serotonin receptor 1A mRNA and brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in chronically stressed rats. Brain Res. 2007 Aug 8;1162:9-18. Epub 2007 Jun 21.

10. Bhutani MK, Bishnoi M, Kulkarni SK. Anti-depressant like effect of curcumin and its combination with piperine in unpredictable chronic stress-induced behavioral, biochemical and neurochemical changes. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2009 Mar;92(1):39-43. Epub 2008 Oct 25.

11. Wang R, Xu Y, Wu HL, et al. The antidepressant effects of curcumin in the forced swimming test involve 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors. Eur J Pharmacol. 2008 Jan 6;578(1):43-50. Epub 2007 Sep 19.

12. Xu Y, Ku BS, Yao HY, et al. The effects of curcumin on depressive-like behaviors in mice. Eur J Pharma col. 2005 Jul 25;518(1):40-6.

13. Bharal N, Sahaya K, Jain S, et al. Curcumin has anticonvulsant activity on increasing current electroshock seizures in mice. Phytother Res. 2008 Dec;22(12):1660-4.

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From Teresa Cody's blog:

I finally had a chance to research curcumin and I am delightfully surprised. It has some properties similar to prozac but it has even more. One research study I found looked at curcumin using what is called an 'unpedictable stress model'. It is when the researchers stess the mice in randam, unpredictable ways. They have found this to be the most stressful. If stress is consistent and/or predictable, it is not as hard on the body or brain.

Curcumin did increase neurogenesis by increasing serotonin and BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor). But it did something more that I think may be the biggest help to Down syndrome.

Curcumin is an anti-inflammatory as well as an antioxidant, but that is not the most intriguing part of the research. Lots of herbs and vitamins are anti-inflammatory or have antioxidant properties.

The most intriguing part is the idea that curcumin is structurally capable of binding to amyloid plaques and breaking up the aggregation of them. Curcumin literally sticks itself to the junk (amyloid plaque) and breaks up the group of them stuck together.

This group of junk clogs up the brain and stops it from working.

Down syndrome has a triplicate copy of the APP gene. Amyloid precursor protein gene. This is the gene associated with Alzheimer's disease. In Alzheimer's disease, brain researchers find the brains full of plaques and tangles. The plaques are called amyloid plaques.

Now, the big drawback I see to curcumin is getting it into the brain. It doesn't cross the BBB (blood brain barrier) easily. But, one brand, Longvida Curcumin, came up with an intriguing solution. They combined curcumin with lecithin. What does that do, you ask? Well, lecithin is phosphatidyl choline, a fat that will cross the BBB. Brilliant!!!


I think curcumin is a fantastic addition for the health of the Down syndrome brain (and probably everyone would benefit).

Why Curcumin interferes with sleep

Regarding the sleep problem at night with curcumin:
Curcumin is a GSK-3beta inhibitor and GSK-3 is involved with the circadian clock.
Sounds like it is wise to avoid use of GSK-3beta inhibitors at night.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18720192
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15972822

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