2024 Alzheimer's Association Research Grant (AARG)
The Impact of Metabolic Signatures of the MIND Diet on Brain Aging
How may diet-related changes to our ability to convert food into energy help preserve brain health and prevent dementia?
Debora Melo van Lent, Ph.D.
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
San Antonio, TX - United States
Background
Metabolism is the process of the body breaking down foods into energy. During metabolism, the body produces different compounds called metabolites that are transported throughout the body and enable cells to carry out vital functions. A healthy metabolism helps grow and maintain brain cells and supports healthy cognition (brain function). It is unclear, however, how changes in an individual's metabolism might influence the progression of brain diseases like Alzheimer’s.
In preliminary studies, Dr. Debora Melo van Lent and colleagues studied the cognitive impact of a healthy diet in older people from a large, multi-generational study of aging called the Framingham Heart Study. These individuals undertook the MIND (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diet, which was specifically developed to reduce cognitive decline by combining aspects of the Mediterranean diet and the hypertension-limiting DASH diet. The MIND diet emphasizes eating plant-rich foods, including fresh fruit, vegetables, beans, olive oil, leafy greens, and berries, as well as seafood and poultry. Preliminary results found that people who adhered to the mind diet over time showed specific changes to their metabolites – changes that appeared to prevent cognitive decline and lower their overall risk of dementia.
Research Plan
Dr. Melo van Lent and the team will now conduct a larger study to clarify how metabolic changes induced by the MIND diet may preserve brain health. For this effort, they will examine blood samples, brain scans, and cognitive test results from participants in the Framingham Heart Study who did or did not undertake the diet. They will then analyze how adherence to the MIND diet over time may alter metabolite activity in the blood. They will also identify specific metabolites promoted by the diet. Next, the team will examine how adherence to the MIND diet, as well as MIND-related metabolite changes, impact brain changes linked to dementia (such as the accumulation of beta-amyloid and tau proteins).
Impact
Results from Dr. Melo van Lent’s study could shed new light on the biological mechanisms linking diet and dementia risk. They could also identify novel dietary methods of protecting brain health and preventing or delaying Alzheimer’s.