The Involvement of Antioxidants in Cognitive Decline and Neurodegeneration: Mens Sana in Corpore Sano

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 The Involvement of Antioxidants in Cognitive Decline and
Neurodegeneration: Mens Sana in Corpore Sano

Claudio Nazzi 1,2 , Alessio Avenanti 2,3 and Simone Battaglia 1,2, * 1 Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università degli Studi di Torino, 10134 Torino, Italy; claudio.nazzi@studio.unibo.it 2 Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia “Renzo Canestrari”, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena, 47521 Cesena, Italy; alessio.avenanti@unibo.it 3 Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neuroscience Research Center (CINPSI Neurocog), Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3460000, Chile * Correspondence: simone.battaglia@unibo.it 

 

Abstract: 

 

With neurodegenerative disorders being on the rise, a great deal of research from multiple fields is being conducted in order to further knowledge and propose novel therapeutic interventions. Among these investigations, research on the role of antioxidants in contrasting cognitive decline is putting forward interesting and promising results. In this review, we aim to collect evidence that focused on the role of a variety of antioxidants and antioxidant-rich foods in improving or stabilizing cognitive functions, memory, and Alzheimer’s disease, the most common neurodegenerative disorder. Specifically, we considered evidence collected on humans, either through longitudinal studies or randomized, placebo-controlled ones, which evaluated cognitive performance, memory abilities, or the progression level of neurodegeneration. Overall, despite a great deal of variety between study protocols, cohorts of participants involved, neuropsychological tests used, and investigated antioxidants, there is a solid trend that suggests that the properties of antioxidants may be helpful in hampering cognitive decline in older people. Thus, the help of future research that will further elucidate the role of antioxidants in neuroprotection will lead to the development of novel interventions that will take into account such findings to provide a more global approach to treating neurodegenerative disorders.

Figure 1. The protective role of antioxidants in neurodegeneration. With aging, a greater imbalance
between reactive oxygen species and antioxidants can lead to an increased state of oxidative stress,
which can cause damage to cells and, ultimately, lead to neurodegeneration and thus pathological
cognitive decline. In this context, a higher concentration of antioxidants, either through the diet or
via supplements, can stave off this imbalance and foster a neuroprotective effect by slowing down
degeneration, as seen by improvements or stabilization of cognitive performance. Created with
BioRender.com.