New research suggests that compounds found in green tea and chocolate may help prevent cognitive impairment experienced by patients with HIV. A study by a research team at Johns Hopkins University discovered that plant polyphenols known as catechins found in green tea might be responsible for encouraging survival and growth of neurons in the brain. Catechins seem to stimulate the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which is a protein that is active in areas of the brain vital to learning, memory and higher thinking. HIV patients have lower levels of this protein compared to healthy individuals. The fact that catechins easily cross the blood-brain barrier increases their therapeutic potential and offers hope of the first neuroprotective treatment for cognitive impairment for people with HIV.
No comments:
Post a Comment