[Association between energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index and cognitive function in individuals aged 55 and...

To examine the association between the energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index(E-DII) and multiple cognitive domains, and to assess potential interactions across population subgroups.

Baseline data(2018-2019) from the Community Cohort Study of Neurological Diseases(CCSNSD) were analyzed. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA), covering six domains in the following order: memory(memory index score, MIS), executive function(executive index score, EIS), visuospatial ability(visuospatial index score, VIS), language(language index score, LIS), attention(attention index score, AIS), and orientation(orientation index score, OIS). Generalized linear models evaluated associations between E-DII and domain-specific scores, with stratified analyses by age, gender, education(level), and income(level). Restricted cubic spline models were used to assess dose-response relationships.

Each one-unit increase in E-DII was significantly associated with lower scores in AIS, EIS, LIS, MIS, and OIS(all β<0, P<0.05), with the strongest inverse association observed for attention(AIS; β=-1.243, P<0.001). VIS scores were significantly lower in the higher E-DII quartiles(Q3 and Q4; P<0.05). Restricted cubic spline analyses showed a progressive decline in cognitive domain scores with increasing E-DII, with steeper decreases at higher E-DII levels. These associations were most evident among individuals aged 65-74 years, women, and those with lower education or income level.

A higher dietary inflammatory potential was linked to poorer cognitive performance. This associationwas particularly pronounced among women, individuals with lower education levels, and those with lower income.