Can dietary intervention help in management of problem behaviors in dementia?

Abstract

Behavioral symptoms of dementia are often more distressing to family caregivers than cognitive impairments and may lead to need for institutionalization. It is possible to distinguish two types of behavioral symptoms: disturbing and non-disturbing ( Fig. 1). The main non-disturbing symptom is apathy that the most common behavioral symptom in individuals with dementia (1) and is often not treated because apathetic individuals pose little problem for their caregivers. However, presence of apathy is decreasing quality of life and functional abilities (2) and increases irritability (3). Presence of apathy should be addressed by psychosocial interventions such as structured activities, music therapy (4), or multisensory behavior therapy (Snoezelen) (5).

The Antidepressant Effect of Deoiled Sunflower Seeds on Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress in Mice Through Regulation of Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis

“…Sunflower seeds are a high-Trp/protein food. The Trp content is 1.75 g/100 g protein, second only to milk and sesame ( 9 ). Our study confirmed that deoiled sunflower seeds high in Trp levels can improve the utilization of Trp and promote the synthesis of 5-HT in the brain, thereby improving behavioral disorders and depression in stressed mice ( 10 ).…”