Green tea and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease which remains the major health concern among the elderly, and even the middle-aged population. The pathological changes in AD start well before the cognitive dysfunction. It has been proposed that daily nutritional intervention may be a preventive measure against progression of AD. Green tea consumption has been a tradition in many Asian countries. Recent epidemiological studies demonstrate beneficial effects of green tea consumption in preventing cognitive impairment among the elderly. Most of the laboratories have focused on the anti-beta-amyloid toxicity and anti-oxidant effects of green tea. Since the pathogenesis of AD is not limited to beta-amyloid toxicity and oxidation, this article aims to review the potential protective effects of green tea of AD in a holistic way. We discuss how green tea provides direct protection to the brain, and how it modulates the risk factors for AD.