Sorry I can’t link to the actual abstract but here’s the title:
Dietary enrichment with 2% blueberry extract to aged rats results in enhanced dendritic branching and spine neuroplasticity in cortical neurons and more complex brain circuitry
*R. F. MERVIS1,2, P. HWANG3, S. ANTOINE3, J. KOTICK3, K. KALMBACH1, B. SHUKITT-HALE4, J. JOSEPH4;
Now, just to make it a tad bit more interesting, per this recent research there may be a connection between an increased number of dendritic cells and susceptibility to viruses (more dc’s increase resistance to viruses).This suggests that even in old subjects, a modest (2%) BB dietary supplementation appears to exert a significant neuroplastic impact on neuronal morphology: it can mitigate normal age-related dendritic atrophy and spine loss. Indeed, the increase in both branching and spines suggests that the BB-extract can exert anti-aging neuroprotection in enhancing the integrity and complexity of brain circuitry in the old rats.
Role of dendritic cells in differential susceptibility to viral demyelinating disease
I just found it all rather interesting.An increased DC number and/or acquired resistance of DCs to viral infection render susceptible mice resistant to viral persistence and disease progression.
Sharon
