Could the Mediterranean Diet Preserve Brain Structural Connectivity?
Sticking to the Mediterranean diet (MD) helps to preserve structural connectivity and microstructure within the brain, leading to significant cognitive benefits, according to a recent study.
While previous research has shown an association between the MD and a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, little data is available on the underlying mechanisms of this relationship.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RELATED CONTENT
Could the Mediterranean Diet Slow Aging?
Today's Diets: Do They Work? Fact versus Fiction
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
In order to further explore this relationship, researchers followed 146 patients participating in the Bordeaux Three-City study, a cohort designed to study vascular risk factors for dementia. Participants completed a dietary questionnaire and underwent brain MRI an average of 9 years later.
Overall, 26% of participants had low adherence to MD, 47% had medium adherence, and 27% had high adherence. Those with the lowest adherence to MD were also more likely to be smokers and have higher body mass index.
While there was no association between MD adherence and grey or white matter volume, researchers discovered a significant association between MD adherence and preserved white matter microstructure. This preservation also appeared to be associated with a delay in cognitive aging by up to 10 years.
“The [Mediterranean diet] appears to benefit brain health through preservation of structural connectivity. Potential mediation by a favorable impact on brain vasculature deserves further research,” they concluded.
—Michael Potts
Reference:
Pelletier A, Barul C, Feart C, et al. Mediterranean diet and preserved brain structural connectivity in older subjects. Alzheimer’s & Dementia. July 2015 [epub ahead of print]. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2015.06.1888.