Curcumin, a substance found in turmeric, and the source of curry’s yellow color, prevents the development of a substance that causes Alzheimer’s disease, according to research conducted by a medical team at a graduate school at Kanazawa University.

The team, led by Prof. Masahito Yamada, a doctor specializing in neurology, and Kenjiro Ono, will discuss the findings at a conference to be held by the Japanese Society of Dementia Research, in Tokyo on Sept. 30.

In addition to paving the way for the development of a new drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease, the findings could be used to improve eating habits to prevent dementia, the researchers said.

Alzheimer’s disease is believed to be caused by the presence of a substance known as amyloid beta (AB) in the brain, which forms fibers that kill nearby nerve cells. Currently, there is no way to stop progress of the disease.

The team confirmed that after adding curcumin to a liquid containing AB, its fiber-forming ability decreased significantly. CONTINUES...............www.yomiuri.co.jp