Association of dietary and nutritional factors with cognitive decline, dementia, and depressive symptomatology in older individuals according to a neurogenesis-centred biological susceptibility to brain ageing

Age and Ageing, 2024 · DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afae042 · Published: January 31, 2024

Neurology Nutrition & Dietetics Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the relationship between diet, hippocampal neurogenesis (the birth of new neurons in the brain), and the risk of cognitive decline, dementia, and depression in older adults. The research explores how specific dietary patterns and nutrients might interact with an individual's neurogenesis-centred susceptibility (defined by the health of hippocampal progenitor cells) to influence their risk of developing these age-related brain conditions. The findings suggest that certain dietary factors can modify the risk of dementia and depression in individuals who are already susceptible due to their neurogenesis profile, highlighting the importance of diet in brain health.

Study Duration

12 years

Participants

371 older adults

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Increased plasma lycopene concentrations, higher red meat consumption, and lower poultry consumption were associated with an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease in individuals with a neurogenesis-centred susceptibility.
2
Increased vitamin D consumption was associated with an increased risk for vascular and other dementias (VoD) in susceptible individuals.
3
Increased plasma γ-tocopherol concentrations were associated with increased depressive symptomatology, but only in susceptible individuals.

Research Summary

This study investigated the interaction between dietary/nutritional factors and neurogenesis-centred biological susceptibility on cognitive decline (CD), dementia, and depressive symptomatology. The results showed that diet does not modify the increased risk associated with altered hippocampal neurogenesis (HN) and future CD but does modify the risk associated with future dementia. The research highlights the critical role for diet/nutrition in modifying the risk for future dementia and depressive symptomatology specifically in individuals with a neurogenesis-centred biological susceptibility.

Practical Implications

Personalized Dietary Recommendations

Dietary recommendations should consider individual neurogenesis profiles to potentially mitigate the risk of dementia and depression.

Targeted Interventions

Interventions focused on specific food groups or nutrients may be more effective in promoting brain health than general dietary patterns, especially for susceptible individuals.

Further Research

More research is needed to fully understand the complex interplay between diet, neurogenesis, and age-related brain conditions, particularly longitudinal studies tracking changes over time.

Study Limitations

1
Potential for residual confounding due to the observational nature of the study.
2
Short-term dietary intake data may not accurately reflect lifelong dietary habits.
3
The exploratory nature of the study makes it difficult to conclude on the generalizability of the findings.

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