Mediterranean diet adherence is related to reduced probability of prodromal Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Background The International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society recently introduced a methodology for probability score calculation for prodromal PD. Objectives To assess the probability of prodromal PD in an older population and investigate its possible association with Mediterranean diet adherence. Methods Data from a population‐based cohort study of older adults (HEllenic Longitudinal Investigation of Aging and Diet) in Greece were used. Probability of prodromal PD was calculated according to International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society research criteria. A detailed food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate dietary intake and calculate Mediterranean diet adherence score, ranging from 0 to 55, with higher scores indicating higher adherence. Results Median probability of prodromal PD was 1.9%, ranging from 0.2 to 96.7% in 1,731 PD‐free individuals aged ≥ 65 (41% male). Lower probability for prodromal PD (P < 0.001) in the higher Mediterranean diet adherence groups was noted, driven mostly by nonmotor markers of prodromal PD, depression, constipation, urinary dysfunction, and daytime somnolence. Each unit increase in Mediterranean diet score was associated with a 2% decreased probability for prodromal PD (P < 0.001). Compared to participants in the lowest quartile of Mediterranean diet adherence, those in the highest quartile were associated with a ∼21% lower probability for prodromal PD. Conclusions Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with lower probability of prodromal PD in older people. Further studies are needed to elucidate the potential causality of this association, potential relation of the Mediterranean diet to delayed onset or lower incidence of PD, as well as the underlying neurobiological mechanisms. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society

Motor function and the probability of prodromal Parkinson's disease in older adults

“…A total of 34 participants (1.93%) from the HELIAD sample (n = 1765) were diagnosed with PD and were excluded from further analyses . As we have previously published, the median pPD probability was 1.92% (range 0.1%–96.7%).…”

“…As we have previously published, the median pPD probability was 1.92% (range 0.1%–96.7%). A total of 49 participants (3%) had 30% or more pPD probability and were considered to have possible/probable pPD . The demographics, motor function measures, and pPD probability of the study population based on whether they had possible/probable pPD are shown in Table .…”

“…The Hellenic Longitudinal Investigation of Aging and Diet (HELIAD) is a large‐scale, population‐based, multidisciplinary study designed to assess the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors of neuropsychiatric conditions of aging in Greece . We randomly selected participants among community‐dwelling individuals from 2 areas in Greece (age ≥ 65, no exclusion criteria), and qualified neurologists and other health professionals collected demographic, medical, environmental, neuropsychological, and lifestyle information . The study protocol was approved by the relevant institutional review boards (University of Thessaly, Larisa, Greece, and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece, Ethics Committees).…”

“…The information obtained was reviewed, and the clinical diagnosis of each participant was reached using published criteria at expert consensus meetings. A diagnosis of PD was reached through standard clinical research procedures: neurological clinical evaluation (past history, symptomatology, and examination), administration of the UPDRS, inspection of medications, and so on . For the purpose of this study, participants with a PD diagnosis were excluded from the analyses.…”

Diet to beat the odds of prodromal Parkinson's disease?

“…A binomial approach is used to compute the more popular Mediterranean diet score and is often referred to as the MeDi score (the use of this acronym by Maraki and colleagues is unfortunate because, in fact, the authors are using the ordinal tool named MedDietScore by Panagiotakos and coworkers) . The sex‐specific medians of each of the 9 or 10 food groups/nutrient distributions are determined and then a point value is assigned.…”