Lázaro, I., O. Grau-Rivera, M. Suárez-Calvet, K. Fauria, C. Minguillón, M. Shekari, C. Falcón, M. García-Prat, J. Huguet, J.L. Molinuevo, J.D. Gispert, A. Sala-Vila, 2024. Omega-3 blood biomarkers relate to brain glucose uptake in individuals at risk of Alzheimer’s disease dementia. Alzheimers Dement (Amst). 16(3):e12596. https://doi.org/10.1002/dad2.12596
Introduction: Brain glucose hypometabolism is a preclinical feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Dietary omega-3 fatty acids promote brain glucose metabolism, but clinical research is incipient. Circulating omega-3s objectively reflect their dietary intake. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in 320 cognitively unimpaired participants at increased risk of AD dementia. Using lipidomics, we determined blood docosahexaenoic (DHA) and alpha-linolenic (ALA) acid levels (omega-3s from marine and plant origin, respectively). We assessed brain glucose metabolism using [18-F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET). Results: Blood ALA directly related to FDG uptake in brain areas known to be affected in AD. Stronger associations were observed in apolipoprotein E ε4 carriers and homozygotes. For DHA, significant direct associations were restricted to amyloid beta-positive tau-positive participants. Discussion: Blood omega-3 directly relate to preserved glucose metabolism in AD-vulnerable brain regions in individuals at increased risk of AD dementia. This adds to the benefits of omega-3 supplementation in the preclinical stage of AD dementia. Highlights: Blood omega-3s were related to brain glucose uptake in participants at risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia. Complementary associations were observed for omega-3 from marine and plant sources. Foods rich in omega-3 might be useful in early features of AD.
Ayala-Aldana, N., A. Pinar-Martí, M. Ruiz-Rivera, S. Fernández-Barrés, D. Romaguera, J. Casanova-Mollà, N. Solà-Valls, J. Julvez, 2024. Original article: adolescent dietary patterns derived using principal component analysis and neuropsychological functions: a cross-sectional analysis of Walnuts Smart Snack cohort. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2024 Sep 18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-024-02577-6
A balanced diet is relevant for neuropsychological functioning. We aimed to analyze the association between dietary patterns and neuropsychological outcomes in a sample of healthy adolescents of the Walnuts Smart Snack (WSS) cohort from Barcelona city. We performed principal components analysis (PCA) to determine dietary patterns in the adolescent sample using a food frequency questionnaire (60 items). Multiple linear regression models were performed to analyze the association between PCA dietary patterns with neuropsychological outcomes: Strengths and Difficulties (SDQ) externalizing and internalizing scores, Attention Network Test (ANT) Impulsivity Index and Emotional Recognition Task (ERT) scores. We additionally adjusted the models for child sex, age, body mass index (BMI), physical activity and maternal education. Six dietary patterns were identified in PCA analyses. “low consumption of calorie-dense foods” dietary pattern had a negative association (protective) with the both SDQ outcomes (p value < 0.001) and “Nuts” dietary pattern showed a negative (protective) association with impulsivity index (β1= −24.60, 95% CI = −36.80, −12.41, p value < 0.001). Overall, our main results suggest that healthy dietary patterns, including higher intakes of “nuts” and a preference of “low consumption of calorie-dense foods” dietary patterns, could provide a beneficial association with neuropsychological functions during the adolescence period. The associations may include improvements of externalizing and internalizing problem symptoms, and impulsivity.
Landaverde-Mejia, K., E. Dufoo-Hurtado, D. Camacho-Vega, M.E. Maldonado-Celis, S. Mendoza-Diaz, R. Campos-Vega, 2024. Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) consumption improves cognitive performance and mood in overweight young adults: A pilot study. Food Chem. 457, 140211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.140211
This pilot study evaluated the impact of pistachio consumption on cognitive performance and mood in overweight young adults. Pistachios were characterized (chemical and nutraceutical), and a baseline-final, uncontrolled nutritional intervention was performed (28 g of pistachio/28 days). Psychometric tests were applied to estimate cognitive performance and mood; anthropometric evaluation, biochemical analysis, and plasma antioxidant activity were included. The main component of nuts was lipids (48.1%). Pistachios consumption significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced waist circumference (−1.47 cm), total cholesterol (−10.21 mg/dL), LDL (−6.57 mg/dL), and triglycerides (−21.07 mg/dL), and increased plasma antioxidant activity. Pistachio supplementation improved risk tolerance (p ≤ 0.006) and decision-making strategy (p ≤ 0.002; BART-task), executive functions (BCST-task; p ≤ 0.006), and selective and sustained attention (Go/No-Go-test; p ≤ 0.016). The mood state was positively modulated (p ≤ 0.05) for anxiety, anger-hostility, and sadness-depression. These results show for the first time the benefits of pistachio consumption on cognitive performance and mood in overweight young adults.
Bizzozero-Peroni, B., V. Díaz-Goñi, N. Beneit, A. Oliveira, E. Jiménez-López, V. Martínez-Vizcaíno, A.E. Mesas, 2024. Nut consumption is associated with a lower risk of all-cause dementia in adults: a community-based cohort study from the UK Biobank. GeroScience. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-024-01365-z
This cohort study aimed to analyze the relationship between nut consumption and the risk of all-cause dementia in adults from the United Kingdom (UK). Data from participants in the UK Biobank cohort between 2007-2012 (baseline) and 2013-2023 (follow-up) were analyzed. Baseline information on nut consumption was obtained using the Oxford WebQ 24-h questionnaire. All-cause dementia (i.e. Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, or vascular dementia) was assessed at baseline and follow-up through self-reported medical diagnosis, hospitalization, or death records. Hazard regression models were used to estimate the association between nut consumption and the risk of developing all-cause dementia, with adjustments made for sociodemographic, lifestyle, hearing problems, self-rated health, and the number of chronic diseases. Participants with all-cause dementia at baseline were excluded. A total of 50,386 participants (mean age 56.5 ± 7.7 years, 49.2% women) were included in the prospective analyses. The incidence of all-cause dementia was 2.8% (n = 1422 cases). Compared with no consumption, daily nut consumption (> 0 to 3 or more handfuls) was significantly associated with a 12% lower risk of all-cause dementia (hazard ratio = 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.77-0.99) after 7.1 mean years of follow-up, regardless of the potential confounders considered. No statistically significant interactions were observed between nut consumption and any of the covariates included in the hazard regression models. Stratified analyses revealed that nut consumption of up to 1 handful of 30g/day and consumption of unsalted nuts were associated with the greatest protective benefits. The daily consumption of nuts may play a protective role in the prevention of dementia.
