Sprouts could hold the key in dementia battle

A BRUSSELS sprouts-based pill for Alzheimer’s disease could be on the horizon, according to Scots scientists.

Researchers say the Christmas favourite contains a nutrient which they believe combats neurological disorders, including dementia.

They are creating a supercharged version of the acid produced by vitamin A rich vegetables such as sprouts, carrots, spinach and tomatoes and human trials could begin in the next two years.

In the body vitamin A is turned into retinoic acid, which then interacts with specific receptors and plays a vital role in the human central nervous system.

It is particularly important for the eye and brain as the embryo is developing.

In the adult brain retinoic acid is believed to play a different, more “focused” role and there are suggestions it could affect neural disorders, both degenerative and psychiatric.

Professor Peter McCaffery, of the University of Aberdeen, explained: “When we eat Brussels sprouts it increases the amount of this acid in the brain. We are not saying doubling your portion of sprouts over Christmas will stop you getting Alzheimer’s.

“The compound we are developing works on exactly the same receptors as the acid from Brussels sprouts.

“The evidence is it will boost the number of neurons and the connections between them.”

They have designed synthetic versions of retinoic acid that interact with the body’s natural receptors in the brain in a more powerful way than the regular type.

They hope to progress to therapeutics – mainly for Alzheimer’s but potentially Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.