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Updated: Feb 3, 2026

Visualization of Amyloid β Deposits in the Human Brain with Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Imaging Mass Spectrometry
Published on: March 7, 2019
Dietary patterns and β-amyloid deposition in aging Australian women
Edward Hill1,2,3, Peter Clifton4, Alicia M Goodwill1,2,3
1Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Introduction:
Evidence indicates that associations between diet and Alzheimer's disease may occur through biomarker pathways such as amyloid-β (Aβ); however, few studies have investigated dietary/Aβ relationships, and no study has investigated this relationship in women.
Methods:
Dietary patterns were extrapolated for 115 participants from the Women's Health Aging Project. Aβ deposition was measured via in vivo F-18 florbetaben positron emission tomography scanning.
Results:
Participants were, on average, aged 70 years (±2.63 SD), had 13 years of education (±3.57 SD), a BMI of 28 kg/m2 (±5.46 SD), and a daily energy intake of 5161 kJ (±1679.03 SD). Four dietary patterns were identified: high fat, Mediterranean, junk food, and low fat. Adherence to the junk food diet was a significant predictor of Aβ deposition (β = .10, P = .03).
Discussion:
This study highlights the potential of diet to influence neurodegenerative disease and as a potential modifiable lifestyle risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.
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