Frédéric Calon
Professeur titulaire, Faculté de Pharmacie
de l’université Laval, Québec, Canada
Chercheur, Centre de Recherche du CHU de
Québec-Université Laval
Co-directeur, Laboratoire international
associé OptiNutriBrain (NutriNeuro-INAF)
Membre, Institut sur la nutrition et les
aliments fonctionnels (INAF)
Websites :
- https://www.pha.ulaval.ca/faculte/repertoire-du-personnel/frederic-calon/page
- https://www.crchudequebec.ulaval.ca/recherche/chercheurs/frederic-calon/
Title
Exploring Nutraceutical Treatment Options for Neurodegenerative Diseases
Abstract
There is increasing interest in the use of food-derived products with potential health benefits for the prevention of age-related diseases. Although nutritional epidemiology studies often report associations between diet and the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases, the outcomes of most clinical trials have been inconclusive. In this presentation, we will focus on the rationale of studying omega-3 fatty acids in Alzheimer's disease (AD) or Parkinson's disease (PD). We will show recent data from preclinical research conducted in animal models, post-mortem analyzes from human samples, and fluid measurements in individuals experiencing early-stage cognitive decline. We will critically assess the current evidence and show published and unpublished data from our research group. While available data is insufficient to recommend specific dietary interventions, the potential benefits may outweigh the risks for those with strong preclinical evidence and low toxicity, such as omega-3 fatty acids.
Biosketch
Dr Frédéric Calon's expertise focuses on neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's and Parkinson's), the blood-brain barrier and the development of treatments, including nutritional approaches. He and his team contributed to the discovery of a neuroprotective effect of omega-3 fatty acids in brain diseases. He is co-author of more than 167 publications, cited more than 16,000 times. He also contributes to preclinical studies using animal models and clinicopathological studies based on brain samples. For less than a year, Dr Calon has been co-director of the Consortium for the Early Identification of Alzheimer's Disease - Quebec (CIMA-Q), involving a cohort of more than 400 participants. With Sophie Layé from Bordeaux, he has been co-director of the OptiNutriBrain International Associated Laboratory (LIA) and the Food4BrainHealth International Research Network (RRI) for almost a decade. Through these different multidisciplinary approaches, his research aims to discover new therapeutic targets, with the ultimate goal of preventing the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.