Nutrient intake and brain biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease in at-risk cognitively normal individuals: a cross-sectional neuroimaging pilot study.

TitleNutrient intake and brain biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease in at-risk cognitively normal individuals: a cross-sectional neuroimaging pilot study.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2014
AuthorsMosconi L, Murray J, Davies M, Williams S, Pirraglia E, Spector N, Tsui WH, Li Y, Butler T, Osorio RS, Glodzik L, Vallabhajosula S, McHugh P, Marmar CR, de Leon MJ
JournalBMJ Open
Volume4
Issue6
Paginatione004850
Date Published2014 Jun 24
ISSN2044-6055
KeywordsAdult, Aged, Alzheimer Disease, Biomarkers, Brain, Cross-Sectional Studies, Energy Intake, Female, Fluorodeoxyglucose F18, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Neuroimaging, Pilot Projects, Positron-Emission Tomography, Radiopharmaceuticals, Risk Factors
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: There is increasing evidence to suggest that diet, one of the most important modifiable environmental factors, may play a role in preventing or delaying cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study examines the relationship between dietary nutrients and brain biomarkers of AD in cognitively normal individuals (NL) with and without AD risk factors.

DESIGN: As part of an ongoing brain imaging study, participants received clinical and laboratory examinations, a neurocognitive test battery, positron emission tomography (PET) with (11)C-Pittsburgh Compound-B (PiB; a measure of amyloid-β (Aβ) load) and (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG; a proxy of neuronal activity), and completed semiquantitative food frequency questionnaires.

SETTING: Research centre affiliated with the Alzheimer's disease Core Center at New York University School of Medicine.

PARTICIPANTS: 49 NL individuals (age 25-72 years, 69% women) with dietary information, (11)C-PiB and (18)F-FDG PET scans were examined.

RESULTS: Controlling for age and total caloric intake, higher intake of vitamin B12, vitamin D and ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) was associated with lower Aβ load in AD regions on PiB-PET, while higher intake of β-carotene and folate was associated with higher glucose metabolism on FDG-PET. β-carotene and folate were associated with reduced glucose metabolism for women, apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 (APOE4) carriers and participants with positive AD family history, but not for their risk-free counterparts. The associations of vitamin B12, vitamin D and ω-3 PUFA with PiB retention were independent of gender, APOE and family history. The identified nutrient combination was associated with higher intake of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, fish and legumes, and lower intake of high-fat dairies, meat and sweets.

CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide a potential pathophysiological mechanism for epidemiological findings showing that dietary interventions may play a role in the prevention of AD. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether there is a direct link between nutrient intake, brain biomarkers and risk of AD.

DOI10.1136/bmjopen-2014-004850
Alternate JournalBMJ Open
PubMed ID24961717
PubMed Central IDPMC4078781
Grant ListR01 AG035137 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
AG035137 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG013616 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
P30 AG008051 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
AG13616 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States

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