Exploring the relationship between dietary factors and structural brain alterations in a partial least squares...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Nutritional Science
• Radiology

Background:

• Nutritional behavior impacts cognitive health, but links to brain structure are under-researched.
• Previous studies highlight diet's role in brain function, yet structural changes require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore associations between specific healthy food items and preserved brain structure.
• To investigate the relationship between components of the Mediterranean, DASH, and MIND diets and brain imaging markers.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, cross-sectional cohort study analyzed 2,652 participants.
• Partial least squares correlation (PLS) analyzed associations between dietary patterns (via food frequency questionnaire) and MRI-derived brain structure parameters.
• Confounding factors including age, sex, education, and cardiovascular risks were controlled.

Main Results:

• One significant latent variable explained 64% of the shared variance between diet and brain structure.
• Higher intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and dairy, with lower cheese consumption, correlated with preserved brain structure.
• Preserved brain structure was indicated by increased microstructural integrity, higher cortical thickness, and reduced white matter hyperintensity volume.

Conclusions:

• Vegetables and fruits consistently showed associations with preserved brain structure, underscoring their neurological health benefits.
• The MIND diet exhibited the most significant associations between its components and brain structure.
• Future longitudinal studies are recommended to establish causality.