Jellyfish protein boosts cognitive function and wins patent protection

Posted On: July 16, 2010

The jellyfish protein apoaequorin improves cognitive function in people with memory problems, according to interim data from a randomized controlled trial commissioned by Quincy BioScience which recently announced a successful application for patent protection. Derived from a jellyfish called Aequorea Victoria, aequorin is a calcium-binding protein.

The protein improved cognitive testing scores by 14 per cent in 60 days compared with the placebo in the randomized controlled Madison Memory Study. The trial focused on 35 adults who had a memory concern and an average age of 61.

The company also recently received a US patent covering the use of aequorin-containing compounds for the purpose of preventing and alleviating symptoms and disorders related to calcium imbalance. It first applied for the patent in 2005.

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