Dementia+Prevention

Tan Z.S. et al. "Red blood cell omega-3 fatty acid levels and markers of accelerated brain aging." Neurology, 2012; 78:9, 658-664. - Retrospective study - RBC DHA and EPA levels in dementia-free Framingham Study participants (middle-aged to elderly community-based cohort, age 67 +/- 9 years) - n=1,575 - Study Outcomes: performance on cognitive tests and volumetric brain MRI (model A, primary model), APOE4 and plasma homocysteine (model B), and physical activity and BMI (model C), and traditional vascular risk factors (model D) - Results: those with RBC DHA levels in the lowest quartile had lower total brain and greater white matter hyperintensity volumes. Participants with lowest quartile RBC DHA+EPA levels had lower scores on visual memory, executive function, and abstract thinking tests - Conclusion: Lower RBC DHA levels are associated with smaller brain volumes and a “vascular” pattern of cognitive impairment __even in persons free of clinical dementia__.

Rotterdam Study: Devore EE, Grodstein F, van Rooij FJ, et al Arch Neurol. 2010;67:819-825 - Prospective, observational study - Major dietary antioxidants and long-term risk of dementia - n=5395 - Population: age>55, no dementia - Follow-up: 9.6 years - Results: 465 participants developed dementia, 365 diagnosed with AD. Statistically-significant association between higher baseline intake of vitamin E and lower long-term risk of dementia (p=0.02). Relative risk of dementia between highest tertile and lowest tertile of vitamin E intake was 0.75 (95% CI 0.59-0.95). After multivariate adjustment, dietary intake of vitamin C, beta carotene, and flavonoids were not linked to dementia risk. Findings were similar for AD risk. - Conclusion: In this observational study, increased vitamin E consumption associated with modest reduction in long-term risk for dementia and AD. No association found with vitamin C.

Hypertension is leading risk factor for stroke. - Reducing EtOH: 10% of hypertension is attributable to use of alcohol - Aerobic exercise - DASH diet