In order to study the effects of antioxidants and other polyphenolic compounds on elderly C. elegans (NW 1229) the pesticide, Imidacloprid, was used to induce neurodegeneration.  If these compounds alleviate the learning and memory deficit in the elderly C. elegans then these compounds can also potentially protect against neurodegenerative diseases and provide a beneficial effect when taken regularly.  Antioxidants are known to induce a neuroprotective pathway that can make the nervous system more robust and oxidative stress damage can be potentially prevented.