Abstract
ABSTRACTAccumulating research has linked Mediterranean diet (MeDi) adherence with slower cognitive decline and reduced Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk. However, no study to-date has examined the relationship between MeDi adherence and accumulation of cerebral Aβ-amyloid (Aβ; a pathological hallmark of AD) in older adults. Cognitively normal healthy control participants of the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) Study of Ageing completed the Cancer Council of Victoria Food Frequency Questionnaire at baseline, which was used to construct a MeDi score for each participant (score range 0–9; higher score indicating higher adherence). Cerebral Aβ load was quantified by Pittsburgh Compound B positron emission tomography at baseline, 18 and 36 months: Only individuals categorised as “Aβ accumulators”, and thus considered to be on the AD pathway, were included in the analysis (N = 77). The relationship between MeDi adherence, MeDi components, and change in cerebral Aβ load (baseline to 36 months) was evaluated using Generalised Linear Modelling, accounting for age, gender, education, Apolipoprotein E ε4 allele status, body mass index and total energy intake. Higher MeDi score was associated with less Aβ accumulation in our cohort (β = −0.01 ± 0.004, p = 0.0070). Of the individual MeDi score components, a high intake of fruit was associated with less accumulation of Aβ (β = −0.04 ± 0.01, p = 0.00036). Our results suggest MeDi adherence is associated with reduced cerebral AD pathology accumulation over time. When our results are considered collectively with previous data linking the MeDi to slower cognitive decline, it is apparent that MeDi adherence warrants further investigation in the quest to delay AD onset.
Highlights
No cure for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) exists, it is essential that effective and broadly applicable approaches to prevent or delay disease onset are developed
This report describes data from 77 participants taken from the AIBL Study of Ageing[11] who were classified as healthy controls and completed the Cancer Council of Victoria Food Frequency Questionnaire (CCVFFQ) at baseline, and who were categorised as “Aβ accumulators”[12] as determined by Pittsburgh Compound B positron emission tomography (PiB-positron emission tomography (PET)) imaging undertaken to assess cerebral Aβ levels at baseline, 18 and 36-month follow-up assessments
The aim of the current study was to assess the relationship between Mediterranean diet (MeDi) adherence, intake of individual MeDi components, and change in cerebral Aβ burden over 36 months, in cognitively normal healthy control participants of the AIBL Study who were categorised as “Aβ accumulators”, and considered to be on the AD pathway
Summary
No cure for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) exists, it is essential that effective and broadly applicable approaches to prevent or delay disease onset are developed. Accumulating data suggests that diet represents one such strategy accessible to all. The Mediterranean diet (MeDi), has been widely recognised as a healthy eating model due to its correlation with low morbidity and mortality for many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes[1,2], which are themselves risk factors for AD3,4. MeDi adherence with slower cognitive decline and reduced risk of AD5–7. Rainey-Smith et al Translational Psychiatry (2018)8:238 such cognitive benefit remains to be determined; brain imaging studies likely offer some insight. Few studies have examined the relationship of MeDi adherence to AD-related neuroimaging outcome measures. To-date, only one study has directly examined the relationship between MeDi adherence and cerebral Aβ-amyloid (Aβ) load (a pathological hallmark of AD), with the authors reporting reduced cerebral Aβ load cross-sectionally among individuals with high MeDi adherence[10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
