Dietary patterns are related to cognitive functioning in elderly enriched with individuals at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

Purpose To investigate cross-sectional associations between dietary patterns and cognitive functioning in elderly free of dementia. Methods Data of 389 participants from the German DELCODE study (52% female, 69 ± 6 years, mean Mini Mental State Score 29 ± 1) were included. The sample was enriched with elderly at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) by including participants with subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and siblings of AD patients. Mediterranean and MIND diets were derived from 148 Food Frequency Questionnaire items, and data-driven patterns by principal component analysis (PCA) of 39 food groups. Associations between dietary patterns and five cognitive domain scores were analyzed with linear regression analyses adjusted for demographics (model 1), and additionally for energy intake, BMI, other lifestyle variables and APOe4-status (model 2). For PCA-derived dietary components, final model 3 included all other dietary components. Results In fully adjusted models, adherence to Mediterranean and MIND diet was associated with better memory. The 'alcoholic beverages' PCA component was positively associated with most cognitive domains. Exclusion of MCI subjects (n = 60) revealed that Mediterranean and MIND diet were also related to language functions; associations with the alcoholic beverages component were attenuated, but most remained significant. Conclusion In line with data from elderly population samples, Mediterranean and MIND diet and some data-derived dietary patterns were related to memory and language function. Longitudinal data are needed to draw conclusions on the putative effect of nutrition on the rate of cognitive decline, and on the potential of dietary interventions in groups at increased risk for AD.

Long-term Effects of Alcohol Consumption on Cognitive Function in Seniors: A Cohort Study in China

“…and detrimental (e.g. age, being female, living in the rest home, widower/widow, frequent intake of sugary foods) factors, [9,10,39,40] but also individual factors that contradict the previous ndings. [10] The frequency of vegetable/meat intake, for example, has been advocated by many as a dietary pattern with more vegetables and less animal fat, but the current study in the Chinese elderly population came to the opposite conclusion.…”

“…In addition to the more general demographic characteristics such as age, gender, and education, factors such as diet, exercise, disease, and genetics are also covered. [9][10][11] The effect of alcohol on cognition has been controversial. Some studies have suggested a potential bene cial effect of low or moderate alcohol intake on cognitive function, [12][13][14] while others have shown no or opposite effects of moderate alcohol consumption on cognitive status.…”

Construction of a risk prediction model for Alzheimer’s disease in the elderly population

“…Both genetic and lifestyle factors are vital in determining the individual risk of developing AD and other subtypes of dementia [ 8 ]. There is growing evidence that avoiding smoking, physical activity, moderate alcohol consumption and a healthy diet reduce the risk of developing dementia [ 9 – 13 ]. Based on the above factors, we can identify high-risk groups for AD and carry out targeted disease prevention measures, but there has been no recognized good risk assessment tool.…”

Alcohol consumption, poor lifestyle choices, and air pollution worsen cognitive function in seniors: a cohort study in China

“…As of 2019, according to the International Alzheimer's Association, there were more than 50 million people with dementia worldwide, and on average, there was a new case of dementia every 3 s (International 2019; WHO 2016). The complex interaction of alcohol, diet, exercise, education, environment, and genetics, among other factors, has a subtle impact on cognitive status (Wang et al 2020a;Wesselman et al 2020;Wu et al 2020).…”