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Dietary patterns during adulthood and cognitive performance in midlife: The CARDIA study
Claire T McEvoy1, Tina Hoang2, Stephen Sidney2
1From the Centre for Public Health (C.T.M.), School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK; Global Brain Health Institute (C.T.M., K.Y.), Department of Neurology (K.Y.), and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (K.Y.), University of California, San Francisco; Trinity College Dublin (C.T.M.), Ireland; Northern California Institute for Research and Education (T.H.), San Francisco; Division of Research (S.S.), Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland; Division of Epidemiology and Community Health (L.M.S., D.R.J.), School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Division of Preventive Medicine (J.M.S.), School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Preventive Medicine and Medicine (Cardiology) (J.T.W.), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL; and San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center (K.Y.), CA. c.mcevoy@qub.ac.uk.
Adhering to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and A Priori Diet Quality Score (APDQS) in adulthood is linked to better midlife cognitive function. These dietary patterns support brain health across the lifespan.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Cognitive decline is a growing public health concern.
- Dietary patterns are modifiable factors influencing cognitive health.
- Longitudinal data on diet and midlife cognition are crucial for understanding brain health across the lifespan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between adherence to specific dietary patterns in adulthood and cognitive performance in midlife.
- To examine the relationship between the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, and A Priori Diet Quality Score (APDQS) with cognitive function over time.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 2,621 participants from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study was analyzed.
- Dietary intake was assessed at baseline, year 7, and year 20, with cognitive function assessed at years 25 and 30.
- Linear models examined the association between diet scores (MedDiet, DASH, APDQS) and changes in composite cognitive function, including verbal memory, processing speed, and executive function.
Main Results:
- Higher adherence to MedDiet and APDQS was associated with less cognitive decline and better executive function (Stroop Interference test).
- No significant association was found between the DASH diet and changes in cognitive performance.
- Individuals in the highest tertiles of MedDiet and APDQS showed significantly lower odds of poor global cognitive function compared to the lowest tertiles.
Conclusions:
- Greater adherence to MedDiet and APDQS during adulthood is associated with improved midlife cognitive performance.
- These findings highlight the potential of specific dietary patterns for maintaining brain health.
- Further research is needed to identify specific food and nutrient combinations for optimal lifelong brain health.
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