Abstract: This review is focused upon the role of ascorbic acid (AA, vitamin C) in the promotion of healthy brain aging. Particular attention is attributed to the biochemistry and neuronal metabolism interface, transport across tissues, animal models that are useful for this area of research, and the human studies that implicate AA in the continuum between normal cognitive aging and age-related cognitive decline up to Alzheimer’s disease. Vascular risk factors and comorbidity relationships with cognitive decline and AA are discussed to facilitate strategies for advancing AA research in the area of brain health and neurodegeneration.
Alex's notes: This review is based on the premise that the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) include a loss in synaptic function and accumulation of extracellular amyloid-β plaques and intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles. Oxidative stress displays chronological primacy in the onset of AD, and in its prephase, mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Thus, preventive therapy that is safe and effective for reducing oxidative damage seen early in neurodegenerative disorders and applied before the onset of dementia is a public health priority.
