: The worldwide burden of dementia is immense, and set to increase to unprecedented levels in the coming decades, due to population aging. In the absence of disease-modifying treatment, there is therefore a strong rationale to support the assumption that acting on modifiable risk factors, especially in midlife, is a good strategy for reducing the burden of AD. Among these risk factors, nutrition is key, as it is fundamental to healthy aging, and has interrelated benefits of a number of organ systems, metabolic processes and health states that can all contribute to modifying the risk of dementia. In this paper, we review the methodological challenges of comparing studies of dietary interventions. We then discuss the effect of genetics and the environment on brain health, and review in particular the literature data on the effect of nutrition on cognition. We summarize the body of data reporting the largely beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet on brain health, and the possible mechanisms that mediate these effects. Finally, we discuss future perspectives for further research in the field, notably the "gut-brain axis", thought to be a key mediator of the effect of nutrition on brain health.

The role of nutrition and the Mediterranean diet on the trajectories of cognitive decline / Maggi, Stefania; Ticinesi, Andrea; Limongi, Federica; Noale, Marianna; Ecarnot, Fiona. - In: EXPERIMENTAL GERONTOLOGY. - ISSN 1873-6815. - 173:(2023). [10.1016/j.exger.2023.112110]

The role of nutrition and the Mediterranean diet on the trajectories of cognitive decline

Ticinesi, Andrea;
2023-01-01

Abstract

: The worldwide burden of dementia is immense, and set to increase to unprecedented levels in the coming decades, due to population aging. In the absence of disease-modifying treatment, there is therefore a strong rationale to support the assumption that acting on modifiable risk factors, especially in midlife, is a good strategy for reducing the burden of AD. Among these risk factors, nutrition is key, as it is fundamental to healthy aging, and has interrelated benefits of a number of organ systems, metabolic processes and health states that can all contribute to modifying the risk of dementia. In this paper, we review the methodological challenges of comparing studies of dietary interventions. We then discuss the effect of genetics and the environment on brain health, and review in particular the literature data on the effect of nutrition on cognition. We summarize the body of data reporting the largely beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet on brain health, and the possible mechanisms that mediate these effects. Finally, we discuss future perspectives for further research in the field, notably the "gut-brain axis", thought to be a key mediator of the effect of nutrition on brain health.
2023
The role of nutrition and the Mediterranean diet on the trajectories of cognitive decline / Maggi, Stefania; Ticinesi, Andrea; Limongi, Federica; Noale, Marianna; Ecarnot, Fiona. - In: EXPERIMENTAL GERONTOLOGY. - ISSN 1873-6815. - 173:(2023). [10.1016/j.exger.2023.112110]
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11381/2938476
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 15
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 14
social impact