Memory disorders are the result of damage to neuroanatomical structures that hinders the storage, retention and recollection of memories. Memory disorders can be progressive, including Alzheimer's disease, or they can be immediate including disorders resulting from head injury.

Agnosia is the inability to recognize certain objects, persons or sounds. Agnosia is typically caused by damage to the brain (most commonly in the occipital or parietal lobes) or from a neurological disorder. Treatments vary ...

memory disorders

Having-a-pet-is-fun-(and-healthy)

Having a pet is fun (and healthy) 

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Do you have a dog? Do you love him? Well, if you have a cat things look a little different, but there's a chance they love you too - and that's great for everyone! The unconditional love that members of the canine genus give us is like no other and also brings us great health benefits in the long run. Some of these benefits are reduced stress levels and risk of high blood pressure, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, loneliness and social exclusion.&nbsp;

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Did you know that dog therapy is used to help patients who are dealing with dementia or Alzheimer's? The presence of dogs has been found to help reduce the effects of dementia, for example &ndash; loneliness, irritability, depression and anxiety. Some studies have even found that dogs are able to "smell" Alzheimer's disease in urine samples. &nbsp;<a href="https://www.yalescientific.org/2016/04/sniffing-out-alzheimers-olfaction-as-a-diagnostic-and-research-tool/" target="_blank" data-ref="Sniffing Out Alzheimer&rsquo;s: Olfaction as a Diagnostic and Research Tool &ndash; Yale Scientific Magazine" rel="noopener">[ref. 1]</a>&nbsp;

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Contact with a cat can also contribute to improving the treatment of many diseases, including depression (anxiety and fear), arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, AIDS, ADHD, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular disease, progressive muscle atrophy, sclerosis, vision loss and hearing, mental illness, osteoporosis and autism. &nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1230801316300613" target="_blank" data-ref="Feline-assisted therapy: Integrating contact with cats into treatment plans" rel="noopener">[Ref. 2]</a>&nbsp;

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A new study has found that pet ownership is particularly useful in another extremely important aspect - working verbal memory.

Pets'-contribution-to-cognitive-health

Pets' contribution to cognitive health

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"To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first to look at the effect of the duration of pet ownership on cognitive health," said lead author Jennifer Applebaum, a doctoral student in sociology and a doctoral student at the National Institute of Health at the University of Florida.&nbsp;<a href="https://news.ufl.edu/2022/02/pet-ownership-study/" target="_blank" data-ref="Long-term pet ownership may help older adults retain cognitive skills" rel="noopener">[Ref. 2]</a>&nbsp;

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The study analyzed cognitive data on more than 1,300 adults who participated in the so-called "Health and Retirement Study," a nationally representative study tracking the lives of Americans 50 and older. It is also interesting that it is not only cats and dogs that can stimulate brain health. The people involved in the study also looked after rabbits, hamsters, birds, fish and reptiles, although dogs were most prevalent as a group, followed by cats.

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One of the main findings of the study was that owning pets for five years or more resulted in the greatest benefit, slowing cognitive decline by 1.2 points over the six-year study period compared to the rate of decline in non-pet people, said clinical neuroimmunologist Dr. Tiffany Brayley, Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Michigan. These findings provide early evidence to suggest that long-term pet ownership may protect against cognitive decline, Dr. Brayley adds.

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The scientific work will be presented in April 2022 at <a href="https://ihs-headache.org/en/events/74th-annual-meeting-of-the-american-academy-of-neurology/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the 74th annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology</a>.

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Any participant with cognitive decline at the beginning of the study was excluded from the analysis. In the final sample, over 53% own pets. Pet owners tend to have higher socioeconomic status, which can also be the cause of the benefits. Experts believe that people on higher incomes are more likely to visit doctors and take care of their health, and this may also apply to their pets.

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Another conclusion of the study that stands out: any brain stimulation associated with owning pets for five years is more noticeable in older people of color, especialli Black, adults with higher education and men. However, more studies are needed to include more men, as previous studies have mainly been done among women.

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Why have pets for more than five years has the most positive impact? The study, which can only show a link, not a direct cause and effect between pet ownership and cognition, fails to answer this question.

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However, previous studies have also identified associations between interactions with companion animals and physiological measures to reduce stress, including reducing cortisol levels and blood pressure, which in the long term can have an impact on cognitive health. There can also be a complex of other brain benefits resulting from owning pets, such as social communication and a sense of duty and some purpose.

The researchers found that older people over 50 or older who had any type of pet for more than five years showed a slower cognitive decline in verbal memory compared to people who did not have pets. The presence of a pet or multiple pets combines many basic components of a healthy lifestyle for the brain. These include increased activity - games and walks, cognitive engagement, socialization, which only part of the activity influencing key modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia in Alzheimer's disease.

Pets can improve cognitive function, according to a new study

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Pets can improve cognitive function, according to a new study 

Бетина Цветкова

Alzheimer's-disease---what-is-it

Alzheimer's disease - what is it

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Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, a common term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60-80% of cases of dementia. This condition is not a normal part of ageing, but the most serious risk factor for its development is precisely age. Also, Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disease in which the symptoms of dementia gradually worsen over several years.

What-the-research-team-finds

What the research team finds

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&nbsp;<a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/2788716" target="_blank" data-ref="Associations Between Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer and Ganglion Cell Layer and Cognition" rel="noopener">[ref. 1]</a>&nbsp; "Given that we have not been able to treat advanced Alzheimer's disease and that the global spread of the disease is increasing, the ability to identify people at the preclinical stage, when we still have a chance to intervene, is really important," says health researcher Ashley Barrett-Young of the University of Ougho, New Zealand. [ref.1]

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People with Alzheimer's disease often live with visual impairments that can contribute to mental confusion, disorientation and social isolation - all symptoms that, along with memory loss, disrupt the daily lives of millions of people living with the disease.

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This study is not the first time scientists have suggested that the eyes could be a window into the brain. More than a decade ago, researchers discovered amyloid-beta proteins, the hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, in the retinas of people with this disease. Subsequent studies of eye images revealed that Alzheimer's patients also had thinner retinas. Another study from 2018 also reported strong links between Alzheimer's disease and three common eye conditions, including glaucoma and macular degeneration.

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In the new study, researchers analyzed data from Dunedin's long-running study, which tracked the lives of more than 1,000 babies born in the early 1970s at a New Zealand hospital. Five decades later, Barrett-Young and colleagues selected for their analysis a subset of 865 adults who&nbsp; had eye examinations at age 45, along with a set of neuropsychological tests in adulthood and early childhood, as part of the Dunedin experiment.

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The thickness of two different parts of the retina (layers of nerve fibers of the retina and layers of ganglion cells) were measured in the examinations. The analysis showed that study participants with thinner layers of the retina achieved lower scores in cognitive performance tests, both as adults and when they were children.

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However, no associations were found between retinal thinning and an overall decline in cognitive function (between childhood and middle age), which may indicate that something is changing in the brain. While thinner layers of nerve fibers of the retina at age 45 are associated with a decrease in the rate of brain processing since childhood, this may just be a sign of general aging and not necessarily associated with Alzheimer's disease.

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"The findings suggest that retinal thickness may be an indicator of overall brain health," says Barrett-Young, who led the study.

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Further research is needed to validate these claims. However, the team behind the study believes the findings could pave the way for a simple eye test to help predict a person's risk of conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia. Although such observed associations are interesting to the scientific community, the risk factors for Alzheimer's disease are many and varied, so for now all the links between Alzheimer's disease and eye health are still under intensive investigation.

Key detail in your retina 'speaks' about brain health

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Sideritis Scardica is one of the most famous herbal wonders of Bulgaria. It has a strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-anemic effect and provides a lot of valuable substances to support immunity and alkalization of the body. Floral, citrus, sweet and slightly earthy notes are intertwined in this feast for the senses, for which we will tell you more in the following lines.

Mursalski-tea---what-it-really-is

Mursalski tea - what it really is

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Mursalski tea is called the "tea of longevity" and is extremely valuable in terms of composition - it provided many useful plant pigments, essential oils, minerals, thanins and other components. It is probably one of the secrets of the longevity of the people inhabiting the Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria, along with yogurt and spring water.

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But what is so special about this tea and why is it worth trying it?

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Mursalski tea (Sideritis scardica, Mountain tea) is prepared from dried leaves and flowers of Sideritis plants. This tea is abundant in flavonoids, terpenes and essential oils, iridoids, coumarins and sterols and does not contain any caffeine.

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The name "Siderritis" is derived from the Greek word "sideros",which means "iron". In the ancient past, "Sideritis" was a common reference to plants used to treat wounds caused by iron weapons during battles.&nbsp;

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The raw material for Mursalski tea "Sideritis Scardica" grows in Bulgaria on plantations whereas total area is no more than 30 kilometers. Therefore, it is considered rare and quite valuable - it is also listed in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Bulgaria. [ref.1] The plant used to make the tea is located on rocky slopes at an altitude of over 1000 meters. It was found that Mursalski tea with excellent qualities grows at an altitude of over 1200 metres.

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Although many people in the West are not familiar with Sideritis Scardica, it has been used for centuries in the Balkans, in Greece and parts of the Mediterranean, where it grows in the wild. In different countries it is known by various names, including Mountain Tea (common name), Μαλωτίρα (Greece), Mursalski Tea - Mursalski Tea (in the Rhodope region of Bulgaria), Pirin Tea - Pirin Tea (in the Pirin region of Bulgaria), Ironwort, Shepherd's Tea, Bergtee (Germany) and others.

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As for the taste and aroma, tea has a very strong and specific sweet taste. When prepared, there are also light mint notes that give it a tonic finish. The aroma is pleasant and light, without intrusiveness, which is typical for black tea for comparison.

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An interesting fact about Mursalski tea is that it has long been used by rhodopean locals, who are known for their longevity, good health and vitality. In addition to its tonic effect, Mursalski tea also has a general strengthening, anti-anemic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect. This tea helps to reduce blood pressure and thereby reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke. Some of its ingredients can help prevent the development of cancer cells and the development of atherosclerosis.

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Dr. Anatoly Alikowski, a urologist from the town of Smolyan, has repeatedly spoken out in support of Mursalski tea. [ref. 2] In his medical studies, Dr. Alikowski identified the beneficial effect of the protected Sideritis Scardica plant in the following health problems:

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<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Acute and chronic bronchitis, laryngitis</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Acute colitis and chronic gastritis</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Food poisoning</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Кdney urate stones and stones, renal failure</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Prostate cancer</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Infertility in men and women</li>
</ul>

Mursalski-tea---what-it-really-is_0_10

<figure><img class="tinyMCEImg" src="https://d20hztklr4qnvi.cloudfront.net/597c1618-2019-4fb7-8f9f-f8c4f797bd96_middle.jpg" border="0" alt="">
<figcaption>Image by <a href="https://www.pexels.com/@olenkasergienko" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Olenka Sergienko</a> from <a href="https://www.pexels.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pexels</a></figcaption>
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Useful-components-of-Mursalski-tea

Useful components of Mursalski tea

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Mountain tea is extremely popular in the Balkans and is most often used in the autumn-winter season in colds, flu and other viruses. The infusion of above-ground parts of S. scardica is mainly used as an expectorant to treat bronchitis and bronchial asthma, cold, pulmonary emphysema and angina pectoris. Tea aids digestion, the immune system, can relieve mild anxiety and acts as a strong antioxidant in the body. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. [ref.3,4,5]

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Mursalski tea also has many other beneficial properties due to its composition. Its vitamin profile is really unique and is very effective in the treatment of chronic diseases. Back in time in Ancient Egypt, local healers have successfully used it as a means of treating infertility in men.

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Next, here is the full composition of Mursalski tea, that provides these extensive benefits for the body:

Useful-components-of-Mursalski-tea_1_3

<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Flavonoids - the main active substances with antimicrobial and antioxidant effect in Mursalski tea, which contributes to its beneficial effect. They help with a powerful purifying effect, contribute to the removal of toxins, allergens, poisons from the body and improved overall detoxification.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Vitamins E, C, D - key vitamins for the health of the immune system in any season and especially in the autumn and winter months, when it is difficult to get our vitamin D from the sun.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Essential oils - essential oils in Mountain tea consist of numerous dominant compounds, mainly monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, which help improve the transfer of oxygen into the body and protect at the cellular level;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Amino acids - contribute to improving mood, cognitive abilities, digestion and maintaining acid-base baalnce.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Twenty-three (23) minerals and trace elements: iron, copper, selenium, sodium, zinc, potassium, iodine and others of key importance for hormonal balance, nervous and brain system, musculoskeletal system and proper growth and development.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Tannins - increase the elasticity of blood vessels and veins and support normal digestion.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Iridoids - natural antiseptics that help fight bacteria and viruses, protecting the body from oxidative stress and cellular damage.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Phenols - some species have neuroprotective action, help prevent cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia.</li>
</ol>

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<figure><img class="tinyMCEImg" src="https://d20hztklr4qnvi.cloudfront.net/4283f6d8-32b3-4dc5-ba24-2d9807b139e3_middle.jpg" border="0" alt="">
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Important-areas-of-action-of-Sideritis

Important areas of action of Sideritis

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The species Sideritis has been widely studied by the scientific community in different countries. An animal study conducted in Southeastern Europe and Turkey with the participation of Bulgarian scientists explores the antioxidant effects of those species. The results show that Sideritis has protective chemical properties that fight cancer-inducing cell damage. [ref.6]

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Another study proves prevention against Aβ-induced memory disorders through herbal extracts of Sideritis scardica and Sideritis euboea in APP-tg mice. [ref.7] Sideriitis has been proved very effective against common and dangerous strains of bacteria and fungi, such as E. coli, Staphylococcus and Candida. [ref.8] And perhaps the most interesting field of action in which Sideritis can fit is in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, both as a cure and as a prevention. Sideritis scardica extracts demonstrate pharmacological activity against the characteristics of Alzheimer's disease, which may be of an exceptional benefit in reducing or limiting cognitive decline in patients. [ref.9]

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How-to-prepare-Mursalski-tea

How to prepare Mursalski tea

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There are several important factors to consider when preparing &nbsp;Mursalski tea – water quantity and brewing time. We will show you two different techniques - the first is for quick boiling, and the second is a more complexed procedure for maximum therapeutic effect.

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Regardless of the method of preparation, in no case should you prepare the tea in a microwave or heat the water in such an appliance. The reason is that the preparation of tea in this way destroys all useful nutrients in the plant. Water heated in a microwave does not allow to achieve the necessary boiling and soaking time. Our recommendation is to use spring water to make the tea and also you should avoid using tap or distilled water.

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Here are the two methods of preparation to try at home:

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<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Quick method of preparation (for 2 cups of tea): In a stainless steel saucepan or glass boil 2 cups of spring water. Add 1 to 1-1/2 sprigs of tea. Cook for 30 seconds and turn off the heat. Leave for 5-7 minutes before drinking.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Traditional brewing method (for 2 cups of tea): In a stainless steel saucepan or glass boil 2 cups of spring water. Add 2 sprigs of tea. Cook for a minimum of 2 minutes or a maximum of 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the tea in for 20 minutes before drinking.</li>
</ul>

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Optionally, you can add cane sugar, honey or other natural sweetener for more sweetness.

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<figure><img class="tinyMCEImg" src="https://d20hztklr4qnvi.cloudfront.net/cf93f306-2c9e-47e7-a4d6-0869a112477e_middle.jpg" border="0" alt="">
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Contraindications-to-Mursalski-tea-consumption

Contraindications to Mursalski tea consumption

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Product stems growing in ecologically clean areas do not contain harmful substances such as pesticides and nitrates, which can cause an allergic reaction or poisoning. However, individual reactions after taking Mursalski tea may occur - if there is discomfort, skin rash, digestive disorder, dizziness or any other reaction, you should avoid consuming it.

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Fortunately, such reactions are quite rare, and tea can be used by almost all except hypertensive patients.

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But perhaps most importantly, Sideritis scardica also occurs at our latitudes and we should appreciate this sacred gift for good health and longevity.

Sources-used

Sources used

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<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Pirin Tea (Mursal Tea), Red Book of the Republic of Bulgaria Volume I - Plants and Mushrooms <a href="http://e-ecodb.bas.bg/rdb/bg/vol1/Sidscard.html#map" target="_blank" rel="noopener">http://e-ecodb.bas.bg/rdb/bg/vol1/Sidscard.html#map</a> </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Dr. Anatoly Alikowski pointed out the wonders of Mursal tea, April 28, 19 <a href="https://glasnews.bg/zdrave/d-r-anatoli-alikovski-posochi-chudesata-mursalskiia-chai-367403/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://glasnews.bg/zdrave/d-r-anatoli-alikovski-posochi-chudesata-mursalskiia-chai-367403/</a> </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Effects of Gamma-Irradiation on the Antioxidant Potential of Traditional Bulgarian Teas <a href="https://www.herbal-organic.com/en/pubmed/Effects_of_Gamma_Irradiation_on_the_Antioxidant_Potential_of_Traditional_Bulgarian_Teas_30428206" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> https://www.herbal-organic.com/en/pubmed/Effects_of_Gamma_Irradiation_on_the_Antioxidant_Potential_of_Traditional_Bulgarian_Teas_30428206</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Dietary burden of phenolics per serving of "Mountain tea" (Sideritis) from Macedonia and correlation to antioxidant activity. <a href="https://www.herbal-organic.com/en/pubmed/Dietary_burden_of_phenolics_per_serving_of_Mountain_tea_Sideritis_from_Macedonia_and_correlation_to_antioxidant_activity_21941904" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> https://www.herbal-organic.com/en/pubmed/Dietary_burden_of_phenolics_per_serving_of_Mountain_tea_Sideritis_from_Macedonia_and_correlation_to_antioxidant_activity_21941904</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Żyżelewicz D, Kulbat-Warycha K, Oracz J, Żyżelewicz K. Polyphenols and Other Bioactive Compounds of Sideritis Plants and Their Potential Biological Activity. Molecules. 2020;25(16):3763. Published 2020 Aug 18. doi:10.3390/molecules25163763 <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7464829/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7464829/</a> </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Aneva I, Zhelev P, Kozhuharova E, Danova K, Nabavi SF, Behzad S. Genus Sideritis, section Empedoclia in southeastern Europe and Turkey - studies in ethnopharmacology and recent progress of biological activities. Daru. 2019;27(1):407-421. doi:10.1007/s40199-019-00261 <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6593022/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6593022/</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Hofrichter J, Krohn M, Schumacher T, et al. Sideritis spp. Extracts Enhance Memory and Learning in Alzheimer's β-Amyloidosis Mouse Models and Aged C57Bl/6 Mice. J Alzheimers Dis. 2016;53(3):967-980. doi:10.3233/JAD-160301 <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4981905/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4981905/</a> </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Tadić V, Bojović D, Arsić I, et al. Chemical and antimicrobial evaluation of supercritical and conventional Sideritis scardica Griseb., Lamiaceae extracts. Molecules. 2012;17(3):2683-2703. Published 2012 Mar 5. doi:10.3390/molecules17032683 <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6268164/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6268164/</a></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Heiner F, Feistel B, Wink M. Sideritis scardica extracts inhibit aggregation and toxicity of amyloid-β in Caenorhabditis elegans used as a model for Alzheimer's disease. PeerJ. 2018;6:e4683. Published 2018 Apr 30. doi:10.7717/peerj.4683 <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5933321/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5933321/</a> </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Wightman EL, Jackson PA, Khan J, Forster J, Heiner F, Feistel B, Suarez CG, Pischel I, Kennedy DO. The Acute and Chronic Cognitive and Cerebral Blood Flow Effects of a Sideritis scardica (Greek Mountain Tea) Extract: A Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo Controlled, Parallel Groups Study in Healthy Humans. Nutrients. 2018 Jul 24;10(8):955. doi: 10.3390/nu10080955. PMID: 30042362; PMCID: PMC6116054. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30042362/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30042362/</a> </li>
</ol>

Sideritis scardica (Mursalski tea, Mountain tea) is an endemic plant on the Balkan Peninsula, which is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of antimicrobial infections, gastrointestinal complaints, inflammations and rheumatic diseases. Its composition is impressive and its usefulness is supported by dozens of clinical studies in its capacity as herbal tea. Mursalski tea can help treat numerous common health problems such as bronchitis, bronchial asthma, cough, increasing the body's immune defenses.

Mursalski Tea - an herb with healing power and valuable ingredients for longevity

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 Mursalski Tea - an herb with healing power and valuable ingredients

Author: Sylvia Marinova, PhD student in in the "Genomic Stability" lab at BAS

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Researchers from the University of Florida have discovered a new mechanism of signal transmission between the nerve cells in the brain and the intestinal microbiome. In their study, they also showed how this mechanism can be modulated from a compound, called fenchol, that is abundant in basil and some other plants and can reduce neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's disease&nbsp; <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2021.735933/full" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> [ref.1]</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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In this article we will first look at what causes Alzheimer's disease, what causes it and then we will look in detail at whether basil can help fight the disease.

What-is-Alzheimer's-disease?

What is Alzheimer's disease?

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Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease that is associated with memory loss (dementia). Usually it begins with a slight degree of forgetfulness, but over time it can progress to the inability to maintain conversation and cope with daily activities and needs. The disease is more characteristic of the elderly, although it is known that pathological changes in the brain begin long before the appearance of the first symptoms.

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Science still cannot give a full explanation of the causes of the onset of the disease, but usually patients experience increased deposition of the so-called amyloid-beta plaques in the brain. <a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/Neuronal_heparan_sulfates_promote_amyloid_pathology_by_modulating_brain_amyloid_clearance_and_aggregation_in_Alzheimer_s_disease_27030596" target="_blank" rel="noopener">[ref.2]</a>. This process leads to pathological changes, which include neurotoxicity and the dying of nerve cells, as a result of which dementia appearsas well as a decrease in the ability to communicate.&nbsp;

Is-there-a-link-between-Alzheimer's-and-our-gut-microbiome?

Is there a link between Alzheimer's and our gut microbiome?

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There is already data in the literature that show that patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease have a different composition of their intestinal microbiome. What does it mean?

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The human microbiome is a complex ecosystem containing over 100 trillion micro-organisms, which is proving crucial to our existence. In addition, many nerve cells that form a direct connection to our brain, called the gut-brain axis, can also be found in our guts. This two-way communication with the central nervous system also takes place through our immune system, the vagus nerve and various metabolites, which are a product of the metabolism of microorganisms living in the intestine. An important group of such substances are short-chain fatty acids. Recent studies suggest that this may be directly related to the development of pathological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/the_impact_of_the_microbiota_gut_brain_axis_on_alzheimer_s_disease_pathophysiology_33246175" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;[ref.3]</a>. Indeed, the amount of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA)&nbsp;found in Alzheimer's patients is much less than in healthy patients with a well-balanced microflora.

How-does-our-brain-sense-the-presence-of-SCFAs?

How does our brain sense the presence of SCFAs?

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This is a very logical question that science has an answer to. The nerve cells of our central nervous system have a sensor (receptor) on its surface that is called&nbsp;free fatty acid receptor . It is also found in many other tissues of the human body and its functions generally include regulation of energy metabolism and the&nbsp;immune system.&nbsp;In addition, researchers at the University of Florida, whose study is the subject of this article, show that the activity of these receptors may play a positive role in protecting brain cells from the accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques in Alzheimer's disease.

The-role-of-basil

The role of basil

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A mong144,000 compounds in search of natural products that can have a stimulating effect on free fatty acid receptors in the brain, the researchers came across a substance called fenchol.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Fenchol is found in abundance in basil leaves and gives them the specific aroma that we all know. It has the ability to bind specifically to fatty acid receptors in the brain and activate them. This in turn reduces the accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques and their neurotoxicity on cells, as scientists have shown in living cells and in model animals.

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Continuing the study, they managed to get into greater depth of the exact cellular processes that are affected by fennel. They identify two processes that help reduce neurotoxicity.

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One is related to the breakdown of unnecessary proteins in the cell by the so-called proteasome. It seems that fenchol manages to stimulate it and thus break down the amyloid-beta plaques, which are of a protein nature.&nbsp;

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The other mechanism concerns the aging of nerve cells. Fenchol treatment reduces this process and this allows the cells to regenerate faster and not accumulate malfunctioning cells in the tissue, called zombie cells - cells that accumulate in diseased tissues and cause inflammation in them.

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"Fenhall affects two interconnected mechanisms - aging and proteolysis", says Yadav, project leader, "It reduces the formation of semi-dead zombie nerve cells and also increases the breakdown of pathological amyloid-beta plaques so that they clear faster than the brain"<a href="https://www.genengnews.com/news/alzheimers-disease-pathology-curbed-using-aromatic-compound-in-basil/?utm_medium=newsletter&amp;utm_source=GEN+News+Highlights+of+the+Week&amp;utm_content=01&amp;utm_campaign=GEN+News+Highlights+of+the+Week_20211009&amp;oly_enc_id=3770G6149945C3X" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> [ref.4]</a>.

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In the future, researchers will focus on the treatment and prevention options of Alzheimer's with fenchol. Their idea is to compare the effectiveness of taking fenchol directly as a drug or taking basil.

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Basil in the fight against Alzheimer's disease

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 Basil in the fight against Alzheimer's disease

Силвия Маринова

Author: Rositsa Tashkova, Master of Molecular Biology and Microbiology

With the development of medicine, our life expectancy has increased considerably within only a few decades. This allows us to spend much more time with our relatives and loved ones, but it is also a prerequisite for age-related diseases.&nbsp; Perhaps one of the most insidious of these is senile dementia, as it alters our personality, mental abilities, and memory.

The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease. It is a neurodegenerative disease, in which plaque builds up in the brain over time, killing certain types of neurons, and causing changes in the transmission of nerve impulses in various important areas of the brain.

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Currently available methods of treating Alzheimer's are not effective enough and have undesirable side effects. Therefore, in this article we will consider the treatment of the disease from the point of view of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) - with the help of herbs and medicinal plants, which have the potential to slow down the development of the disease and are actively studied:

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<ul>
<li>Sage (Salvia officinalis)</li>
<li>Ginkgo biloba</li>
<li>Toothed clubmoss or firmoss (Huperzia serrata)</li>
<li>Plants of the Amaryllidaceae family</li>
<li>Uncaria rhynchophylla - a type of cat's claw (diào gōu téng or fish hook vine)</li>
<li>Yuan zhi (Polygala tenuifolia)</li>
</ul>

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The information was takenf rom the articles "Traditional Chinese medicines and Alzheimer's disease" [<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/Traditional_Chinese_medicines_and_Alzheimer_s_disease_21791295" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.1</a>] and "Herbaltherapy: a new pathway for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease" [<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/Herbal_therapy_a_new_pathway_for_the_treatment_of_Alzheimer_s_disease_21067555" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.2</a>].

Sage-(Salvia-officinalis)-and-ursolic-acid

Sage (Salvia officinalis) and ursolic acid

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One of the promising medicinal plants in the fight against Alzheimer's is sage or also known as garden sage, common sage, or culinary sage. The main active substance in the herb leaves is ursolic acid. It is a pentacyclic triterpenoid found also in the wax layer of apples, in the fruit crusts, as well as in rosemary and thyme.

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