Adherence to a Mediterranean diet and cognitive function in the Age‐Related Eye Disease Studies 1 & 2

Abstract

Introduction The objective was to determine whether closer adherence to the alternative Mediterranean Diet (aMED) was associated with altered cognitive function. Methods Observational analyses of participants (n = 7,756) enrolled in two randomized trials of nutritional supplements for age‐related macular degeneration: Age‐Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) and AREDS2. Results Odds ratios for cognitive impairment, in aMED tertile 3 (vs 1), were 0.36 (P = .0001) for Modified Mini‐Mental State (<80) and 0.56 (P = .001) for composite score in AREDS, and 0.56 for Telephone Interview Cognitive Status‐Modified (<30) and 0.48 for composite score (each P < .0001) in AREDS2. Fish intake was associated with higher cognitive function. In AREDS2, rate of cognitive decline over 5 to 10 years was not significantly different by aMED but was significantly slower (P = .019) with higher fish intake. Discussion Closer Mediterranean diet adherence was associated with lower risk of cognitive impairment but not slower decline in cognitive function. Apolipoprotein E (APOE) haplotype did not influence these relationships.

Regulation of blood–brain barrier integrity by microbiome-associated methylamines and cognition by trimethylamine N-oxide

“…Consumption of a diet rich in fish and other seafood, known to provide significant quantities of TMAO [ 83 ], associates with a reduced risk of cognitive decline [ 84 , 85 ] and protection against cerebrovascular disease [ 86 ]. These effects have in large part been attributed to beneficial actions of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids [ 87 ], although there is little evidence that their direct supplementation improves cognitive function [ 88 ] or stroke risk [ 89 ].…”

Associations of Metabolic Genes (GSTT1, GSTP1, GSTM1) and Blood Mercury Concentrations Differ in Jamaican Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…Therefore, continuous exposure to Hg is very likely in the Jamaican community via fish consumption. On the other hand, dietary intake of seafood and fish is the main source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in humans that play an important role in human health [ 93 ], brain development [ 94 ] and cognitive performance [ 95 , 96 , 97 ]. Since our study design is matched case-control and the measurement of exposure to the six metals including mercury took place at the time when the children were evaluated to confirm their ASD status at age 2–8 years, we are unable to establish temporality of the associations we reported in this study.…”

Mediterranean, DASH, and MIND Dietary Patterns and Cognitive Function: The 2-Year Longitudinal Changes in an Older Spanish Cohort

“…While a significant association was seen in the present analyses with the MedDiet and MIND diet within a shorter follow-up duration with some cognitive function assessments compared with other prospective cohort studies that have been conducted, this relationship was not found with the DASH diet. While MedDiet has been associated with a lower risk of cognitive impairment, it has not always been associated with a slower decline in cognitive function ( Keenan et al, 2020 ). Inconsistent findings have previously been observed with the DASH diet ( van den Brink et al, 2019 ).…”