Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has proven to be one of the most concerning ailments present in the aging population. It has demonstrated year over year increase in cost and mortality rate among those age 65 and over. With few treatments available, increased research efforts remain necessary. Brains impacted by AD generally demonstrate two key physiological factors: an increase in enzymatic activity in terms of acetylcholine esterase and butyrylcholine esterase, along with increased aggregation of beta amyloid plaques. Another disease of note is Parkinson’s disease (PD). While PD is less prevalent, it also generates devastating results and lacks sufficient treatment options. PD is known to be associated with increased tyrosinase activity in the brain. Compounds present in blueberries may offer assistance with the hallmark characteristics of each of these diseases. We have demonstrated efficacy in the inhibition of each enzyme, along with impact on structural characteristics of beta amyloid by various polar blueberry extracts by well characterized enzymatic assays and FTIR. The results showed the neuronal protective effects of blueberry, which have the potential to prevent AD and PD, as well as other neurodegenerative diseases. The composition of these extracts were then assessed by HPLC-DAD and UPLC/QToF-MS in an effort to identify and semi-quantitate active compounds.