Mental Health

Curry Prevents Brain Decay, Study Suggests

By Christine Hsu | Update Date: Sep 26, 2014 12:37 AM EDT

Eating curry protect people from brain disease, according to a new study.

New research reveals that a bioactive compound from turmeric the regeneration of brain stem cells. Scientists believe that the findings suggest that the spice could hold answers for treating neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease.

After analyzing how aromatic (ar-) turmerone influences adult brain stem cells called endogenous neutral stem cells (NSC), researchers found that the spice compound blocks the activation of microglia cells, which have been linked to neuroinflammation and neurological disorders.

Scientists looked at how aromatic (ar-) turmerone affected brain cell growth and differentiation in mice. Researchers noted that the effects were observed in vitro and in vivo.

"While several substances have been described to promote stem cell proliferation in the brain, fewer drugs additionally promote the differentiation of stem cells into neurons, which constitutes a major goal in regenerative medicine. Our findings on aromatic turmerone take us one step closer to achieving this goal," lead researcher Adele Rueger said in a news release.

The findings are published in the journal Stem Cell Research & Therapy

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