Pre-germinated brown rice, high in levels of the nutrient GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), significantly improved levels of spatial learning in mice, according to research in the Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin published by the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan. The authors say brown rice could help prevent Alzheimer's disease, which is rapidly increasing around the world. Alzheimer's disease is characterised by numerous senile plaques resulting in neuronal loss. The beta-amyloid peptide that makes up these plaques has been shown to lead to brain dysfunction, causing learning and memory impairment in rodents.

The new study found that the brown rice, which had been soaked in water to induce slight germination and contained around 13 times the amount of oryzanol and 15 times the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) of polished rice, improved the learning ability of mice and prevented impairment of spontaneous alternation behaviour in the animals.

GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, is sometimes taken to enhance sleep quality and is also used increasingly in bodybuilding supplements for its effect on growth hormone levels.

In contrast, the beta-amyloid protein impaired spontaneous alternation behaviour in the control group fed polished or white rice, a staple of the Asian diet. The researchers suggest the large amount of GABA in the brown rice may enhance glutamate release and the sensitivity of NMDA receptors. The activation of these receptors is thought to underlie learning and memory.

There are currently around 18 million people with dementia in the world - the most common cause of this dementia is Alzheimer's disease. By 2025 this figure will rise to 34 million, with 71 per cent of these likely to live in developing countries.

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