Cocoa Flavanols and the Aging Brain.

Partly because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, cocoa flavanols have been examined in reversing age-related cognitive deficits. Epidemiological studies indicate a relation between flavonoid intake and the prevention of dementia. In confirmation of this relation, several pharmacological studies show the faster speed of responding and better executive performance in flavanol-treated aged or young subjects.

The Herc1 gene in neurobiology.

The function of the HERC1 gene has mainly been delineated by studying Herc1 (tambaleante) mutant mice, characterized by losses in cerebellar Purkinje cells, a lower number of synaptic vesicles in the hippocampus, and anomalies in climbing fiber projections from the inferior olive as well as alpha-motoneuron projections to the skeletal muscle. The salient behavioral phenotypes include cerebellar ataxia, a loss in motor coordination, muscle weakness, and spatial deficits. Similar neuropathological and behavioral profiles have been described in childhood-onset subjects with HERC1 variants, including cerebellar ataxia and hypotonia.

The AGTPBP1 gene in neurobiology.

The function of the Agtpbp1 gene has mainly been delineated by studying Agtpbp1 (pcd) mutant mice, characterized by losses in cerebellar Purkinje and granule cells along with degeneration of retinal photoreceptors, mitral cells of the olfactory bulb, thalamic neurons, and alpha-motoneurons. As a result of cerebellar degeneration, cerebellar GABA and glutamate concentrations in Agtpbp1 mutants decreased while monoamine concentrations increased. The salient behavioral phenotypes include cerebellar ataxia, a loss in motor coordination, and cognitive deficits.