Jellyfish Protein Supplement- a Memory Supplement?
Quincy Bioscience is undertaking a study in which more than 150 people are being tested to measure the impact of a protein called aequorin on human memory. The protein comes, strangely enough, from a jellyfish. Mark Underwood, the 37-year-old president of Quincy Bioscience, comes from a family that has struggled with Alzheimer's. When he first read of a jellyfish protein that may help improve human memory, he saw both promise and a business opportunity.
By 2004, Underwood, who had got a bachelor's degree in psychology, had read a lot about jellyfish and this mysterious protein. He had also started Quincy Bioscience and, in 2010, received a patent that covers the use of aequorin-related compounds for preventing and alleviating symptoms and disorders related to calcium imbalance. Research has shown a connection between toxic levels of calcium in the brain and dementia and some, including Underwood, believe aequorin helps regulate calcium levels.
However, the use of jellyfish proteins presents more questions than answers at the moment. Jeffrey Johnson, a pharmaceutical researcher with the UW-Madison's Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences said there is no peer-reviewed research related to aequorin and human brain health. And he reiterated that there are many questions about how the protein works.
However, Underwood has already introduced the protein in the market in the form of supplements, known as Prevagen that offers "brain cell protection." But Underwood wants to connect the product more solidly to improvements in memory. Thus, the three-month trial and testing Prevagen on memory in people. Early results have been positive, Underwood said. Data on 35 participants was pulled for presentation at a recent Alzheimer's conference and showed a 14 percent improvement in working memory among those taking the protein supplement.
Some scientists, including Johnson, remain skeptical.
Johnson said no studies have shown how aequorin can be taken orally and delivered to the brain without first being degraded by the digestive system. Nor, Johnson added, have studies shown how the protein gets through cell walls or into the blood stream.
Even Underwood admits that he hasn't seen such questions answered. But he said he welcomes more thorough research.
"It's an important question," Underwood said. "But your memory doesn't get better because this protein goes to your elbow ... . Someone has to lead the charge. And if we're able to push the work forward, maybe we could pass this on to more qualified people who could take it across the goal line."
Link: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/health_med_fit/article_e0b4692a-c512-11df-990c-001cc4c002e0.html
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