Nutrient biomarker patterns, cognitive function, and MRI measures of brain aging

Abstract

Objective: To examine the cross-sectional relationship between nutrient status and psychometric and imaging indices of brain health in dementia-free elders.Methods: Thirty plasma biomarkers of diet were assayed in the Oregon Brain Aging Study cohort (n ϭ 104). Principal component analysis constructed nutrient biomarker patterns (NBPs) and regression models assessed the relationship of these with cognitive and MRI outcomes.Results: Mean age was 87 Ϯ 10 years and 62% of subjects were female. Two NBPs associated with more favorable cognitive and MRI measures: one high in plasma vitamins B (B1, B2, B6, folate, and B12), C, D, and E, and another high in plasma marine -3 fatty acids. A third pattern characterized by high trans fat was associated with less favorable cognitive function and less total cerebral brain volume. Depression attenuated the relationship between the marine -3 pattern and white matter hyperintensity volume. Conclusion:Distinct nutrient biomarker patterns detected in plasma are interpretable and account for a significant degree of variance in both cognitive function and brain volume. Objective and multivariate approaches to the study of nutrition in brain health warrant further study. These findings should be confirmed in a separate population. Neurology The epidemiology of Alzheimer disease (AD) suggests a role for nutrition. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Despite studies in favor of a single or a few nutrients in the prevention of AD, the translation to formal clinical trials testing vitamin E, B vitamins, or docosahexaenoic acid have been disappointing. [8][9][10][11][12] Given the interactive nature of nutrient action and metabolism, it is not surprising that a single or few nutrient approaches for neurodegenerative disease are tenuous. [13][14][15] These results impart the rationale for novel methodologic approaches that appreciate the interactive features of nutrients and model their collective influence in the promotion of brain health.Food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) have traditionally been used to construct dietary patterns.16 FFQ is relatively inexpensive and fairly comprehensive, but this method is subject to faulty recall of dietary intake and does not account for variability in nutrient absorption, both of which are issues in the elderly. 17,18 We have recently reported a reliable blood test that assesses nutritional status in people at risk for dementia. 19 In the current study, we examine the relationship of nutrient biomarkers with cognitive function and MRI.To capture the effect of nutrients in combination, we construct nutrient biomarker patterns using principal component analysis (PCA). Cluster analysis, 20 index scores, 21 and reduced rankFrom the

Thrombomodulin and the Brain: Past, Present, and Future

“…This was later confirmed in a larger nursing home cohort, additionally showing that increasing certainty of AD (CERAD-based) 4 and increasing counts of NP 5 were each significantly associated with higher levels of TC and LDL. We further confirmed the finding of Matsuzaki et al 1 of no significant lipid-NFT correlations.…”

“…Among these, Matsuzaki et al and Mascitelli et al may not be aware of the publications of Kuo et al 3 and of our group. 4,5 Both of our findings supported the Hisayama findings 1 and presented evidence contrary to the comments of Mascitelli et al 2 In 2001, we found that nursing home residents with AD pathology (Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease [CERAD]) had significantly higher TC and LDL than residents with dementia with other-than-AD pathology. This was later confirmed in a larger nursing home cohort, additionally showing that increasing certainty of AD (CERAD-based) 4 and increasing counts of NP 5 were each significantly associated with higher levels of TC and LDL.…”

A Multimodal Intervention for Patients with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: Feasibility and Effect on Fatigue

“…Nutritional status has a major impact on cognitive function and brain volume in healthy individuals 11 and is likely even more important in people with SPMS. 12,13 The number of mean daily servings of vegetables is inversely correlated with the risk of developing MS and obesity, 14 a common comorbidity.…”

“…1 Greens, sulfur-rich vegetables and brightly colored vegetables provide many dietary molecules (e.g., flavonoids, polyphenols, and thiols) with favorable impact on molecular pathways influencing MS disease activity (e.g., sirtuins, adenosine monophosphate protein kinase, nuclear transcription factor j B, and peroxime proliferatoractivated receptors) 12,13 and nutrients important to optimal brain physiology. 11,15,16 Currently, no particular diet is prescribed as a treatment for MS, but some studies suggest that changes in diet might be beneficial. For example, the Swank diet, which is low in saturated fat, reduces the progression of disability and mortality rate in patients with relapsing-remitting MS. 17,18 In 2009, a case report of a patient with SPMS (TW) showed that a modified paleolithic diet (see Table 1 for a detailed description), consisting mainly of greens, sulfur-containing vegetables and colored fruits and vegetables and elimination of gluten, dairy, and eggs enhanced the recovery of this patient and led to improvement in fatigue and transition from wheelchair dependence to mild gait disability.…”

Dementia

“…53 A diet rich in vitamins B, C, D and E (fruit and vegetables) and omega 3 fatty acids (fish) and low in high trans-fat (processed foods) reflects in beneficial blood nutrient biomarker patterns influencing both cognitive function and brain volume. [54] • …”