German researchers at the DZNE and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases investigated the association between the Mediterranean diet and cognitive decline.
According to their study published in Neurology, a Mediterranean diet may aid in reducing the risk of memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
512 participants in late adulthood were recruited, with the majority having been at high risk of Alzheimer’s from the beginning of the study.
“We defined MeDi adherence based on the Food Frequency Questionnaire,” the findings read.
“Brain volume outcomes were generated via voxel-based morphometry on T1-MRI and cognitive performance with an extensive neuropsychological battery. We analyzed the associations between MeDi and the outcomes with linear regression models controlling for several covariates.”
The findings established the Mediterranean diet as a protective factor against cognitive decline. Therefore, it was suggested that that dietary intervention with the Mediterranean diet may lead to reduced tau-pathology, linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
