Dietary Patterns and Cerebral Glucose Metabolism in Older Adults: Findings from the Western Australian Memory Study

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by significant reductions in glucose metabolism, reflecting underlying synaptic dysfunction, correlating with cognitive decline. We aimed to explore the impact of dietary patterns on the change in glucose metabolism.

This longitudinal, prospective study included 132 community-dwelling older adults without a diagnosed dementia history enrolled in the Western Australian Memory Study (WAMS). Participants completed a food frequency questionnaire at baseline and underwent [¹⁸F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) imaging at baseline and at up to two follow-up assessments scheduled approximately 18 months apart, over a maximum follow-up period of 43 months. Principal component analysis yielded two dietary patterns-named Western Diet and Prudent Diet. Linear mixed-effect models evaluated the association between dietary adherence and glucose metabolism, including potential confounders. Analysis was repeated stratified by sex.

Adherence to a Western Diet, characterized by high sugars and saturated fats, was associated with faster decline in glucose metabolism in the left fusiform gyrus (β = -0.00062; SE = 0.00025; FDR-adjusted p = 0.043), neocortex (β = -0.00063; SE = 0.00026; FDR-adjusted p = 0.047), left ventrolateral prefrontal (β = -0.00083; SE = 0.00032; FDR-adjusted p = 0.045 and inferior parietal region (β = -0.00344; SE = 0.00129; FDR-adjusted p = 0.033) in females. A Prudent Diet, characterized by a high intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, showed no significant effects.

Our study highlights the following: (a) The potential detrimental impact of a Western Diet on brain glucose metabolism, particularly for females, who are at higher risk for AD. The decline was observed in regions essential for cognitive functions, including visual processing and facial recognition, emphasizing the role of diet in brain health. (b) No significant associations were observed between adherence to a Prudent dietary pattern and changes in glucose metabolism.