Futurity.org » olive oil http://www.futurity.org Research news from leading universities Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:03:39 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 Olive oil compound may fight Alzheimer’s http://www.futurity.org/health-medicine/olive-oil-compound-may-fight-alzheimers/ http://www.futurity.org/health-medicine/olive-oil-compound-may-fight-alzheimers/#comments Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:18:48 +0000 Futurity-Jenny Leonard http://futurity.org/?p=4502

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A neuron (red) is bound with neurotoxins, known as ADDLs (green). The bright green signal is the result of oleocanthal treatment, which enhances antibody detection of ADDLs.

NORTHWESTERN (US)—A new study has found that oleocanthal, a naturally occurring compound found in extra-virgin olive oil, beneficially alters the structure of neurotoxic proteins believed to contribute to the debilitating effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

The structural change impedes the ability of highly toxic proteins known as ADDLs to damage brain nerve cells. This effect of oleocanthal could be used to advantage in new therapeutics and diagnostics.

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