Curcumin Protects the Brain from Neurodegeneration

A new study shows that curcumin directly turns on a key gene signal involved with protection of your nerves so as to boost antioxidant enzymes in the brain, and prevent neurodegeneration. This study suggests that curcumin offers protection for a wide variety of age-associated nerve problems.

Researchers used high levels of quinolinic acid, a potent neurotoxin, to cause extensive free radical induced nerve damage. Quinolinic acid is known to injure the NMDA receptor, a common issue in Parkinson’s disease. When brain cells are in an inflamed state they can metabolize tryptophan into quinolinic acid in amounts that can be neurotoxic.

Curcumin significantly prevented the damaging effects of quinolinic acid induced adverse nerve changes and neurodegeneration. It also boosted key antioxidant enzyme systems that protect the brain from stress (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase).

Curcumin worked by activating a gene transcription factor called Nrf2, in turn boosting multiple aspects of brain defense. This is another study showing that curcumin directly modulates gene signaling to offer protection against high levels of stress.