Dr. David Vauzour
2019 Presentation Title – Impact of Berry Polyphenols on the Gut-Brain Axis
Dr. David Vauzour received his PhD from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Montpellier (France) in 2004. His research over the last 14 years, based at the University of Reading (2005-2011), and at the Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, UK (2011- present) has focused on investigating the molecular mechanisms that underlie the positive correlation between the consumption of diets rich in fruits and vegetables and a decreased risk of (neuro)degenerative disorders and to develop novel dietary strategies to delay brain ageing, cognitive decline and cardiovascular disease, including stroke and vascular dementia. In this context, his initial work provided considerable insights into the potential for natural products to promote human vascular function, decrease (neuro)inflammation, enhance memory, learning and neuro-cognitive performances and to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. In particular, his major contribution has been to show that phytochemicals and in particular flavonoids exert such diverse biological effects through their modulation of intracellular signalling pathways (MAP kinase, PI3 kinase/Akt and Keap-1/Nrf2), biomarkers of cellular plasticity and resilience to exogenous stimuli. His recent interests concern how food bioactives modulate ApoE genotype-induced cardiovascular risk and neurodegenerative disorders and their underlying mechanisms. To date Dr Vauzour has published over 80 peer reviewed articles and currently serves as the Associate Editor for the journals “Nutrition and Healthy Aging” and Antioxidants. In addition, he is a member of the editorial board of “Nature Scientific Reports (Neuroscience)” and “Peer J (Pharmacology)” and is currently the co-the Chair of the ILSI Europe “Nutrition and Mental Performance Task Force”.