Both aging and age-associated neurodegenerative diseases are associated wit
h various degrees of behavioral impairments, and among the prime candidates
responsible For producing the neuronal changes mediating these behavioral
deficits appear to be free radicals and the oxidative stress they generate.
Therefore, there have been a number of studies which have examined the put
ative positive benefits of antioxidants in altering, reversing, or forestal
ling these neuronal/behavioral decrements, with varying degrees of success.
Additional experiments have examined the effects of diets rich in fruits a
nd vegetables or herbal extracts in reducing certain types of cancer and ca
rdiovascular diseases, and evidence emerging from such experiments suggests
that these kinds of dietary modifications may be beneficial in altering ne
uronal/behavioral deficits in aging, as well. These kinds of diets are part
icularly rich in antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, E, and bioflavonoids (
such as flavones, tannins, and anthocyanins), and thus, there may be synerg
istic effects among them. The present paper will review studies concerning
the influence of dietary and synthetic antioxidants on normal, pathological
age-related, and reactive oxygen species-induced behavioral changes in hum
an and animal subjects. The antioxidants reviewed are vitamin E, alpha-lipo
ic acid, and the phytochemicals contained in herbals, fruits and vegetables
. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.