Mind Diet Adherence and Cognitive Performance in the Framingham Heart Study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Nutritional Science
• Public Health

Background:

• The Mediterranean-DASH for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet has been linked to reduced cognitive decline and dementia.
• Previous research has not explored the MIND diet's association with brain volume, silent brain infarcts (SBIs), or brain atrophy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between adherence to the MIND diet and cognitive function.
• To examine the relationship between the MIND diet and brain imaging markers, including brain volume, SBIs, and atrophy.

Main Methods:

• The Framingham Heart Study cohort, comprising 2,092 participants (mean age 61), was analyzed.
• Dietary intake was assessed using Food Frequency Questionnaires, cognitive function was tested, and brain MRI was performed on a subset of participants.
• Participants with dementia, stroke, or other neurological conditions were excluded.

Main Results:

• Higher adherence to the MIND diet was associated with better global cognitive function and larger total brain volume (TBV).
• No significant associations were found between the MIND diet and hippocampal volume, lateral ventricular volume, white matter hyperintensity volume, or SBIs.
• Adherence to the MIND diet was not associated with cognitive decline over the follow-up period.

Conclusions:

• Higher MIND diet adherence correlates with improved cognitive performance and greater TBV at baseline.
• Further clinical trials are necessary to determine if adopting the MIND diet can influence cognitive decline trajectories.