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Trichopoulou A, Kyrozis A, Rossi M, Katsoulis M, Trichopoulos D, La Vecchia C, Lagiou P. Mediterranean diet and cognitive decline over time in an elderly Mediterranean population. Eur J Nutr 2014; 54:1311-21. [PMID: 25482573 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-014-0811-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Evidence suggests that dietary patterns compatible with the traditional Mediterranean diet (MD) may protect against cognitive decline. We prospectively assessed whether adherence to MD in the Mediterranean country of Greece is inversely associated with cognitive decline in the elderly and whether any particular MD component may play a key role. METHODS Elderly men and women (N = 401) residing in the greater Athens area had dietary variables ascertained in 1994-1999. Adherence to MD was represented by the MD score [MDS, 0-3 (low), 4-5 (intermediate), 6-9 (high)]. The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) was administered by trained professionals to individuals aged 65 years or older in 2004-2006 (first assessment) and re-administered in 2011-2012 (second assessment). MMSE change (cMMSE) was categorized as: improved/unchanged (cMMSE ≥ 0), mildly lower (cMMSE -1 to -4) or substantially lower (cMMSE ≤ -5). Associations were evaluated through multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS Decline in MMSE performance was inversely associated with adherence to MD. For mild versus no decline, odds ratio (OR) comparing high to low MD adherence was 0.46 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.25-0.87, p = 0.012]. For substantial versus no decline, OR comparing high to low MD adherence was 0.34 (95% CI 0.13-0.89, p = 0.025). Among the nine MDS components, only vegetable consumption exhibited a significant inverse association with cognitive decline. CONCLUSIONS Closer adherence to the traditional MD is highly likely to protect against cognitive decline in this elderly Mediterranean population. Higher vegetable consumption appears to play a key role, possibly in synergy with additional components of the diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Trichopoulou
- Hellenic Health Foundation, 13 Kaisareias and Alexandroupoleos Street, 115 27, Athens, Greece.,Bureau of Epidemiologic Research, Academy of Athens, 23 Alexandroupoleos Street, 115 27, Athens, Greece
| | - Andreas Kyrozis
- Hellenic Health Foundation, 13 Kaisareias and Alexandroupoleos Street, 115 27, Athens, Greece. .,1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, 74 Vas. Sofias Avenue, 11528, Athens, Greece.
| | - Marta Rossi
- Dipartimento di Epidemiologia, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, via La Masa, 19, 20156, Milan, Italy
| | - Michalis Katsoulis
- Hellenic Health Foundation, 13 Kaisareias and Alexandroupoleos Street, 115 27, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Trichopoulos
- Hellenic Health Foundation, 13 Kaisareias and Alexandroupoleos Street, 115 27, Athens, Greece.,Bureau of Epidemiologic Research, Academy of Athens, 23 Alexandroupoleos Street, 115 27, Athens, Greece.,Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Carlo La Vecchia
- Dipartimento di Epidemiologia, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, via La Masa, 19, 20156, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Via Venezian 5, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Pagona Lagiou
- Bureau of Epidemiologic Research, Academy of Athens, 23 Alexandroupoleos Street, 115 27, Athens, Greece.,Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, University of Athens Medical School, 75 M. Asias Street, Goudi, 115 27, Athens, Greece
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