Nutrients linked to better brain connectivity, cognition in older adults

A study found that higher levels of several key nutrients were associated with more efficient brain connectivity and better cognitive performance in older adults.

A study involving 116 healthy older adults (65-75) has found that higher levels of several key nutrients in the blood were associated with more efficient brain connectivity and better cognitive performance. In fact, the findings suggest that the level of nutrients governs the strength of the association between functional brain network efficiency and cognitive performance.

The study looked at 32 key nutrients in the Mediterranean diet. The effective nutrients, which appeared to work synergistically, included omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, carotenoids, lycopene, riboflavin, folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin D.

A pattern of omega-3s, omega-6s and carotene was linked to better functional brain network efficiency.

Omega-3 fatty acids are abundant in fish, walnuts and Brussels sprouts; omega-6 fatty acids are found in flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts and pistachios; lycopene is the vivid red pigment in tomatoes, watermelon and a few other fruits and vegetables; alpha- and beta-carotenoids give sweet potatoes and carrots their characteristic orange color.

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-12/uoia-sln121918.php

Reference:

[4518] Zwilling, C. E., Talukdar T., Zamroziewicz M. K., & Barbey A. K.
(2019). Nutrient biomarker patterns, cognitive function, and fMRI measures of network efficiency in the aging brain.
NeuroImage. 188, 239 - 251.

seniors

Aging

Related News

Long-term meditation fights age-related cognitive decline

Following on from research showing that long-term meditation is associated with gray matter increases across the brain, an imaging study involving 27 long-term meditators (average age 52) and 27 controls (matched by age and sex) has revealed pronounced differences in white-matter connectivity be

Moderate to intense exercise may protect the brain in old age

Another study showing the value of exercise for preserving your mental faculties in old age.

Why our brains produce fewer new neurons in old age

It wasn’t so long ago we believed that only young brains could make neurons, that once a brain was fully matured all it could do was increase its connections. Then we found out adult brains could make new neurons too (but only in a couple of regions, albeit critical ones).

Religious factors may influence brain shrinkage in old age

The brain tends to shrink with age, with different regions being more affected than others. Atrophy of the

Childhood musical training helps auditory processing in old age

A number of studies have demonstrated the cognitive benefits of music training for children. Now research is beginning to explore just how long those benefits last.

Why it gets harder to remember as we get older

As we get older, when we suffer memory problems, we often laughingly talk about our brain being ‘full up’, with no room for more information. A new study suggests that in some sense (but not the direct one!) that’s true.

Discovery of more risky genes reveals more about the paths to Alzheimer’s

I commonly refer to ApoE4 as the ‘Alzheimer’s gene’, because it is the main genetic risk factor, tripling the risk for getting Alzheimer's. But it is not the only risky gene.

Alzheimer's diagnostic guidelines updated

For the first time in 27 years, clinical diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer's disease dementia have been revised, and research guidelines updated. They mark a major change in how experts think about and study Alzheimer's disease.

Brain starts shrinking long before Alzheimer's appears

A long-term study of older adults with similar levels of education has found that those with the thinnest

Smaller life space linked to greater risk of cognitive decline

Growing evidence has pointed to the benefits of social and mental stimulation in preventing dementia, but until now no one has looked at the role of physical environment.

Pages