Associations Between Dietary Patterns and Neuroimaging Markers: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Nutritional Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Dementia presents a significant global health challenge.
• Dietary patterns (DPs) may influence cognitive aging and dementia risk.
• Previous research on DPs and cognition yielded mixed results, possibly due to cognitive testing limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review prospective and intervention studies on the role of DPs in brain aging processes.
• To explore the relationship between DPs and neuroimaging markers of brain health.
• To identify gaps in current research, particularly the need for intervention studies.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of prospective and intervention studies.
• Inclusion criteria focused on studies examining DPs and brain aging.
• Nine prospective studies were included; no intervention studies met the criteria.

Main Results:

• Seven studies evaluated the Mediterranean diet (MeDi).
• One study each evaluated the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 and a posteriori derived DPs.
• Some evidence suggests an association between healthy DPs and neuroimaging markers, including changes over time.

Conclusions:

• Healthy DPs may positively influence brain aging and neurodegeneration.
• Neuroimaging techniques are valuable for detecting early brain changes.
• Further intervention studies using multi-modal neuroimaging are crucial to confirm the impact of DPs on brain health.