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Theanine Protects Against Memory
Impairment Caused by Lack of Blood to the Brain
Background: The brain depends upon a
constant flow of blood to supply it with oxygen and nutrients. When the normal flow of blood is obstructed (a condition called
“cerebral ischemia”), brain cells become damaged and can even die.
Memory loss is a common result. Researchers wanted to find out if
theanine, a component of green tea, could protect the brain against the
memory impairment and cell death caused by cerebral ischemia.
Type of study:
Animal
Study Methods:
Using rats, the researchers obstructed blood flow to their brains on two
occasions. Immediately after the first obstruction, they injected
theanine, either 0.3 mg or 1 mg per kg of body weight.
What happened:
Injecting either dose of theanine significantly prevented
damage to the rats’ spatial memory (which governs their ability to find their way through a
maze and learn from their mistakes). And injecting 1 mg/kg of theanine
significantly protected against the death of cells in the hippocampus
(the area involved in forming, storing and processing memories).
Researchers’ conclusion:
“These results suggest that theanine prevents memory impairment
induced by repeated cerebral ischemia, in part by protecting against
neuronal cell death, and that it might be useful for preventing
cerebrovascular disease.”
Citation:
Egashira N, Ishigami N, Pu F, et al. Theanine prevents memory impairment
induced by repeated cerebral ischemia in rats. Phytother Res
2008;22(1):65-68. (Click here to read PubMed study
abstract.)
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Nadine Taylor, M.S., R.D. presents
GreenTeaLibrary.com,
the most comprehensive collection of scientific information
describing the health benefits of green tea. |
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