health

WHICH SUBSTANCES SHOW PROMISE?

In 2010, Ashe and Kathleen Zahs, associate professor of neurology at the University of Minnesota, published a report titled "Too Much Good News," noting that dozens of compounds have appeared to slow dementia in lab mice. But "these triumphs in mice have not translated into successful therapies for people." Ashe hopes to do further tests, to see which ones have the greatest potential to prevent Alzheimer's before memory loss occurs.

Among those that have shown promise in lab mice: Ginkgo biloba, naproxen, omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish oil), vitamin E, blueberries, pomegranate juice, curcumin (found in turmeric), green tea, garlic, cabernet sauvignon.

LEARN MORE

For more on Alzheimer's and Ashe's prevention project:

• Twin Cities Consortium for Alzheimer's Research (T-CAR): www.t-car.info

•Alzheimer's Association: www.alz.org

•National Institutes of Health: www.startribune.com/a999