Mediterranean diet and risk for dementia and cognitive decline in a Mediterranean population
Date
2021Language
en
Keyword
Abstract
Background: Current evidence suggests that nutrition in general and specific dietary patterns in particular, such as the Mediterranean type diet (MeDi), can be employed as potential preventive strategies against the development of dementia and cognitive decline. However, longitudinal data exploring the applicability of these findings in populations of Mediterranean origin are limited. The aim of the present study was to explore the potential relationships of MeDi adherence with dementia incidence rates and cognitive change over time in a traditional Mediterranean population, characterized by a lifelong exposure to Mediterranean eating habits and lifestyle. Methods: The sample consisted of 1046 non-demented individuals over the age of 64 (mean age = 73.1; SD = 5.0), with available baseline dietary information and longitudinal follow-up. Diagnosis of dementia was made by a full clinical and neuropsychological evaluation, while cognitive performance was assessed according to five cognitive domains (memory, language, attention-speed, executive functioning, visuospatial perception) and a global cognitive score. Adherence to MeDi was evaluated by an a priori score (range 0–55), derived from a detailed food frequency questionnaire. Results: A total of 62 incident dementia cases occurred during a mean (SD) of 3.1 (0.9) years of follow-up. Individuals in the highest MeDi quartile (highest adherence to MeDi) had a 72% lower risk for development of dementia, compared to those in the lowest one (p = 0.013). In addition, analysis of cognitive performance as a function of MeDi score revealed that the biennial cognitive benefit of a 10-unit increase in MeDi score offsets the cognitive decline associated with 1 year of cognitive aging. Conclusion: In the present study, higher adherence to MeDi was associated with a reduced risk for dementia and cognitive decline in a traditional Mediterranean population. © 2021 The American Geriatrics Society
Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
A Preliminary Study on the Feasibility of Using a Virtual Reality Cognitive Training Application for Remote Detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment
Zygouris S., Ntovas K., Giakoumis D., Votis K., Doumpoulakis S., Segkouli S., Karagiannidis C., Tzovaras D., Tsolaki M. (2017)Background: It has been demonstrated that virtual reality (VR) applications can be used for the detection of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Objective: The aim of this study is to provide a preliminary investigation on ... -
Computerized cognitive rehabilitation for treatment of cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis: An explorative study
Vilou I., Bakirtzis C., Artemiadis A., Ioannidis P., Papadimitriou M., Konstantinopoulou E., Aretouli E., Messinis L., Nasios G., Dardiotis E., Kosmidis M.H., Grigoriadis N. (2020)In this explorative study, forty-seven patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis were randomized to a custom 6-week cognitive rehabilitation intervention (n = 23) using the BrainHQTM web-based platform and to a ... -
Higher probability of prodromal Parkinson disease is related to lower cognitive performance
Bougea A., Maraki M.I., Yannakoulia M., Stamelou M., Xiromerisiou G., Kosmidis M.H., Ntanasi E., Dardiotis E., Hadjigeorgiou G.M., Sakka P., Anastasiou C.A., Stefanis L., Scarmeas N. (2019)ObjectiveGiven the limited information on cognitive function before Parkinson disease (PD) clinical onset in the general population, we sought to assess prodromal PD (pPD) probability and relate it to detailed cognitive ...