Apoaequorin: Does it Really Support Memory and Brain Health?

Could a glowing jellyfish be linked to sharper memory and healthier aging? Some supplements claim so, but what does the research say?

Apoaequorin is a protein discovered in jellyfish known for their bioluminescence—the soft glow that lights up ocean waters. This protein is now marketed in certain brain supplements which claim to improve memory, focus, and overall brain health. But scientific support for these claims is lacking.

This article explores the history, science, and controversies of apoaequorin. We’ll begin by examining how researchers found this calcium-binding protein in jellyfish and why it caught so much scientific interest. 

Next, we’ll discuss its purported benefits and examine the current research on apoaequorin as a brain health supplement. 

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What Is Apoaequorin?

Apoaequorin is a calcium-binding protein originally isolated from bioluminescent jellyfish. 

Origin and Discovery: From Jellyfish to Supplements

Apoaequorin was initially discovered in the Aequorea victoria jellyfish famous for their glowing bodies. 

Researchers learned that these jellyfish create light through special proteins: one such protein is apoaequorin, which caught the attention of scientists for its role in regulating calcium within cells. 

Over time, it moved from marine research labs to health stores, where it’s promoted as a brain supplement.

Nobel Prize and Bioluminescence Breakthroughs

The 2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded for research on bioluminescent proteins, which improved understanding of cellular activity. However, this was not related to apoaequorin’s use as a supplement.

These bioluminescent proteins let scientists track cell functions in real-time—such as protein movement, cell signaling, and disease processes—because they glow when exposed to certain wavelengths of light or chemicals.

Apoaequorin specifically reacts to calcium changes, leading researchers to explore its use for studying cell biology and possibly memory function.

While the prize honored a slightly different protein, it opened the door for more interest in apoaequorin’s potential uses.

Apoaequorin in Supplements

While apoaequorin was originally extracted from jellyfish, it is now produced in a laboratory from a type of bacteria called Escherichia coli, or E. coli.

Apoaequorin is a patented compound, and is commonly available on shelves under the brand name Prevagen.

How Apoaequorin Works

Apoaequorin has an interesting mechanism of action in living systems:

Overview of Apoaequorin Functions

Apoaequorin is a protein that can bind to calcium—a very important mineral in our cells. It is similar to calmodulin, a protein in humans that helps manage many cell activities. 

Because calcium levels control things like nerve signals, apoaequorin’s ability to attach to calcium may affect the amount of calcium inside cells; apoaequorin has been studied for its role in calcium binding in laboratory settings, though its effects in humans remain unclear. 

In jellyfish, apoaequorin also glows when it meets calcium, which is how scientists track calcium levels in cells in the lab.

How Apoaequorin Tracks Cell Function

When apoaequorin (or its active form called aequorin) grabs onto calcium, it changes shape. This shape change can let it join other cell processes without disrupting the cell’s normal functions, a bit like calmodulin does in our own bodies. Scientists can now track apoaequorin’s journey through cells to better understand how cells are functioning.

Calcium is a key signaling molecule that helps control important cell activities like energy production, enzyme function, gene expression, and cell death. Calcium is especially important in nerve cells for sending signals, supporting memory, and helping brain cells communicate. 

Proteins like apoaequorin, which can bind to calcium, make it easier to track how calcium works in cells in real-time.

Apoaequorin and the Brain

Calcium is important inside neurons because it helps them send signals and form memories; however, too much calcium can harm these cells, causing excitotoxicity and nerve cell damage.

How Does Apoaequorin Support Cognitive Function? Current Theory

The current theory behind the potential benefits of apoaequorin are based on its ability to bind calcium. This binding is thought to regulate calcium entry into cells, which is critical in cellular signaling and overall brain function. 

By modulating calcium levels, apoaequorin is believed to help maintain calcium balance within neurons, potentially supporting cognitive processes, improving certain aspects of brain function, and protecting brain health. However, there is no conclusive evidence that it improves brain function in humans.

Let’s explore the research behind apoaequorin’s actual benefits for nerve health and brain function. 

Safety of Apoaequorin

Overall, apoaequorin is considered to have a wide safety margin and be well-tolerated. 

Health Claims Made About Apoaequorin 

The company producing and selling apoaequorin as a brain health supplement has made the following claims:

• Improved Cognitive Function: the company funded and ran a randomized controlled trial and claimed that apoaequorin improves cognitive function, specifically in memory and learning.

• Memory Support: a supplement containing apoaequorin is marketed with claims of helping with memory improvement and brain health.

These claims have been challenged due to concerns over research methodology and lack of independent validation.

Moreover, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the New York State Attorney General issued a warning to Quincy Bioscience for making unapproved drug claims and for marketing the apoaequorin-containing product as a supplement while suggesting it has drug-like benefits for memory and brain function.

Research on Apoaequorin

There is currently one research study available on apoaequorin’s effects on learning and cognitive function; this study was funded by the company that created and sells this product. 

In this study, researchers in Madison, Wisconsin, conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to see if a supplement containing apoaequorin could help with memory and verbal learning in older adults. 

They recruited 218 community-dwelling adults aged 40 to 91 who reported having memory concerns. For 90 days, participants received either an apoaequorin supplement or a placebo.

To measure results, the team used computerized tests known as the International Shopping List (ISL) and ISL-Delayed Recall (ISL-DR). These tests check how well people learn a list of items right away and how many they can recall later. 

Both groups had similar scores at the start of the study. By the end, the group taking apoaequorin reported improvements in verbal learning (ISL) and recall (ISL-DR) compared to the placebo group.

The apoaequorin supplement was also well-tolerated, meaning participants reported few side effects. The researchers suggest that apoaequorin might support better cognitive function in aging adults, especially around memory tasks like learning and recalling a list of items.

Unfortunately, other sources have noted that the study failed to show that apoaequorin performed better than a placebo when directly compared. Furthermore, no independent meta-analyses, systematic reviews, or observational studies have corroborated these claims.

Can Oral Apoaequorin Supplements Effectively Reach the Brain?

Research on apoaequorin’s ability to reach the brain and provide neuroprotective effects is also lacking. 

Research involving a simulated digestive tract showed that apoaequorin is quickly broken down in the stomach, making it unlikely to remain intact and reach the brain. In tests that mimic digestion, 90% of apoaequorin was dissolved by stomach acid and enzymes in under 30 seconds. 

Current research has not demonstrated that apoaequorin can effectively cross the blood-brain barrier in significant amounts. Because it is a large protein, even the small portion that might survive in the gut is very unlikely to cross into the brain. 

Federal Lawsuit Involving Apoaequorin-Containing Supplement

In 2017, the FTC and the New York State Attorney General filed charges against the makers of a dietary supplement containing apoaequorin for making false and unsupported claims about its ability to improve memory and cognitive function.

The company’s advertisements, including TV commercials on major networks, showcased charts that claimed users experienced significant memory improvement within 90 days. However, the study behind these claims failed to prove that the supplement was more effective than a placebo.

The complaint stated that the supplement’s active ingredient, apoaequorin, was promoted to reduce memory problems linked to aging, even though there was no solid scientific evidence to support this claim. 

Consumers paid between $24 and $68 per bottle, leading to more than $165 million in sales. 

The agencies accused the company of violating state and federal laws and targeting older, vulnerable consumers with misleading advertising. They sought refunds for customers and highlighted the need for reliable scientific evidence to back health claims.

After seven years of legal battles, including a jury trial, a federal court ruled against the company. The court ordered the makers to stop making false claims about the supplement’s ability to improve memory and cognitive function. 

This ruling emphasized the need for robust scientific evidence in supplement marketing claims.

Alternative Supplements for Brain Health

There are many brain health products out there with ample research behind them. For example, options like omega-3 fatty acids or ginkgo biloba have more research in some areas. 

Also consider the price of apoaequorin, which can be higher than other supplements. Comparing costs, scientific backing, and personal needs can guide you toward the best choice. 

Always Consult a Healthcare Provider

Even if you’re healthy, speaking with a doctor or pharmacist before trying any supplement is recommended. This is particularly true if you already take prescription medication. Ask questions such as how it might affect your current treatments or if there are better-researched alternatives. 

Remember that not every doctor knows about every supplement, so seeking someone with integrative medicine experience can help.

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Key Takeaways

• Rapid Digestion: tests that mimic human digestion show that 90% of apoaequorin gets broken down by stomach acid and enzymes in under 30 seconds, making it very unlikely to remain intact.

• Large Protein, Low Absorption: because apoaequorin is a large protein, even the small amount that might survive the stomach is unlikely to cross into the bloodstream or pass through the blood-brain barrier.

• Limited Brain Access: these digestion findings suggest that oral apoaequorin supplements probably do not reach the brain in meaningful quantities, calling into question claims of direct neurological benefits.