Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
10:13
Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
Published on: February 14, 2014
Mediterranean diet and cognitive function in older adults.
Catherine Féart1, Cécilia Samieri, Pascale Barberger-Gateau
1Research Center INSERM, U897, Université Victor Ségalen Bordeaux 2, Bordeaux, France. catherine.feart@isped.u-bordeaux2.fr
Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care
|October 17, 2009
Summary
Adhering to the Mediterranean diet may slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. This dietary pattern shows promise for preventing age-related cognitive impairment.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Nutritional Neuroscience
- Epidemiology of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Background:
- The Mediterranean diet is well-established for cardiovascular and chronic disease prevention.
- Its role in mitigating age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases remains less explored.
- Understanding nutritional impacts on brain health is crucial for aging populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and cognitive function in older adults.
- To explore the diet's potential in preventing cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of two recent prospective cohort studies involving older American and French individuals (≥65 years).
- Assessment of adherence to the Mediterranean diet and its correlation with cognitive trajectories.
Main Results:
- High adherence to the Mediterranean diet was significantly associated with slower cognitive decline.
- Increased adherence correlated with a reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment conversion to Alzheimer's disease.
- A lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease was observed in individuals with high dietary adherence.
Conclusions:
- The Mediterranean diet may influence Alzheimer's disease risk and the progression of cognitive performance years before clinical diagnosis.
- These findings suggest the Mediterranean diet as a potential preventive strategy against cognitive decline and dementia.
- Further research across diverse populations is needed to generalize these promising results for public health initiatives.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
01:30Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists
Cognitive enhancers, also known as "smart drugs," are substances used to enhance memory, mental alertness, and concentration. These can be natural or synthetic and improve cognition in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Some common examples include caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, modafinil, arecoline, donepezil, vortioxetine, and piracetam. These enhancers work on the principle of synaptic plasticity and altered circuit function. They...
01:27Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
Age-related pharmacokinetic changes are extensively documented, but understanding age-related pharmacodynamic alterations is relatively limited. This knowledge gap can be partly attributed to the complexity of developing appropriate measures of drug responses compared to bioanalytical methods for determining drug concentrations.Most information regarding age-related differences in human pharmacodynamics originates from cross-sectional studies. However, these studies assume that observed mean...
01:29Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...
01:23Role of Neurotransmitters in Memory
Neurotransmitters are integral to the brain's communication system, enabling neurons to transmit signals across synapses. This chemical exchange underpins various cognitive functions, including memory processes. The role of neurotransmitters in memory is multifaceted, influencing the encoding, consolidation, and retrieval of memories through their action on different neural circuits.
Glutamate and Synaptic Plasticity
Glutamate, the brain's main excitatory neurotransmitter, is critical for...
Glutamate and Synaptic Plasticity
Glutamate, the brain's main excitatory neurotransmitter, is critical for...
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...