**Ascorbic Acid and the Brain: Rationale for the Use against Cognitive Decline**

#### **Fiona E. Harrison <sup>1</sup> , Gene L. Bowman <sup>2</sup> and Maria Cristina Polidori 3,\***


*Received: 25 October 2013; in revised form: 24 March 2014 / Accepted: 10 April 2014 / Published: 24 April 2014* 

**Abstract:** This review is focused upon the role of ascorbic acid (AA, vitamin C) in the promotion of healthy brain aging. Particular attention is attributed to the biochemistry and neuronal metabolism interface, transport across tissues, animal models that are useful for this area of research, and the human studies that implicate AA in the continuum between normal cognitive aging and age-related cognitive decline up to Alzheimer's disease. Vascular risk factors and comorbidity relationships with cognitive decline and AA are discussed to facilitate strategies for advancing AA research in the area of brain health and neurodegeneration.

**Keywords:** ascorbic acid; vitamin C; brain; cognitive function; alzheimer's disease; dementia; aging; elderly; endothelial function; blood-brain barrier; SVCT (sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter)
