Compositions and methods of bdnf activation

Abstract

Compositions and methods are presented that substantially increase levels of BDNF in blood, and even more pronouncedly exosomal BDNF levels. Suitable compositions include whole coffee fruit extracts and powders or procyanidin-enriched preparations that are orally administered at relatively low dosages. The augmentation of the levels of natural stimulating factor takes place in cerebral circulation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of increasing endogenous BDNF in blood of a mammal, comprising:
 administering to the mammal a composition that increases a BDNF level in the blood;   wherein the composition comprises a preparation of a coffee fruit or a procyanidin-enriched preparation of a fruit or vegetable; and   wherein the composition is formulated and administered at a dosage to increase the BDNF level in the blood in an amount of at least 25%.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the increase in the BDNF level is an increase in exosomal BDNF. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the preparation of the coffee fruit is a whole coffee fruit extract or a whole coffee fruit powder. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the composition is administered in an amount of between 5 mg and 500 mg per dose. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the procyanidin-enriched preparation of a fruit or vegetable comprises procyanidins at a concentration of at least 5 μg/g. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition is administered at a dosage to increase the BDNF level in the blood of at least 100%. 
     
     
         7 . A method of increasing BDNF in cerebral circulation of a mammal, comprising:
 administering to the mammal a composition that includes a preparation of a coffee fruit or a procyanidin-enriched preparation of a fruit or vegetable;   wherein the composition is administered in an amount sufficient to increase exosomal BDNF, wherein the increased exosomal BDNF is effective to increase BDNF in cerebral circulation of the mammal.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the step of administering comprises oral administration. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the preparation of the coffee fruit is a whole coffee fruit extract or a whole coffee fruit powder. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the procyanidin-enriched preparation of a fruit or vegetable comprises procyanidins at a concentration of at least 5 μg/g. 
     
     
         11 . A method of increasing exosomal BDNF in blood of a mammal, comprising:
 administering to the mammal a composition that includes a preparation of a coffee fruit or portion thereof,   wherein the composition is administered in an amount sufficient to increase exosomal BDNF in the blood of the mammal.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the preparation of the coffee fruit is a whole coffee fruit extract or a whole coffee fruit powder. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the preparation of the coffee fruit is administered in an amount of between 50-150 mg. 
     
     
         14 . A method of increasing BDNF in a mammal having a BDNF-associated condition, comprising:
 administering a composition that increases exosomal BDNF in blood of a mammal in an amount of at least 50% as compared to a mammal without administration of the composition.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the BDNF-associated condition is selected form the group consisting of obesity, diabetes, depression, cardiovascular diseases, cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, fibromyalgia, Parkinson's disease, and dementia. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the composition comprises a preparation of a coffee fruit, a whole coffee fruit extract, or a whole coffee fruit powder. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the composition comprises a procyanidin-enriched preparation of a fruit or vegetable that comprises procyanidins at a concentration of at least 5 μg/g. 
     
     
         18 . Use of a whole coffee fruit preparation in a composition for oral administration to increase exosomal BDNF in blood of a mammal. 
     
     
         19 . The use of  claim 18  wherein the whole coffee fruit preparation is a whole coffee fruit extract or whole coffee fruit powder, and wherein the coffee fruit preparation is present in the composition for oral administration in an amount of between 50 and 150 mg. 
     
     
         20 . The use of  claim 18  wherein the increase in exosomal BDNF is an acute increase of at least 200% over baseline.