Evidence that vitamin K is beneficial to the rat brain

In a new study in rats, scientists report evidence that vitamin K can help prevent cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia

"Vitamin K2 has shown very promising effects in preventing age-related behavioral, functional, biochemical and histopathological changes," said the study's senior author, Dr.

Abdulrahman Aloufi, a medical student working in the El-Sherbiny lab at AlMaarefa University, will present the findings at the American Anatomical Society's Experimental Biology (EB) 2022 Annual Meeting, April 2-5 in Philadelphia

Dementia is a form of cognitive impairment that interferes with daily life, unlike the normal memory decline that occurs with age

Vitamin K is a group of compounds that includes vitamin K1, which is found in leafy green vegetables and some other vegetables, and vitamin K2, which is found in meat, cheese, and eggs

The new study sheds light on some of the biological pathways by which vitamin K appears to help preserve cognitive function

The researchers used validated tests, including the maze test, swimming test, and socialization test, to assess cognitive function, depression, and anxiety behaviors in the rats

At the end of the study, the researchers examined the rat brain tissue to understand the biological pathways involved

In addition to the various forms of vitamin K that occur naturally in food, vitamin K supplements are also commercially available

"Further clinical studies are needed to evaluate appropriate doses for Alzheimer's prevention, particularly those used for vitamin K antagonist therapy," El-Sherbiny said