Applying Retrospective Harmonization to the Field of Nutrition and Cognitive Health

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Nutrition Meets Neuroscience

Mapping Nutrition for a Healthier Brain

The 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) explored neurocognitive health through several systematic reviews and was faced with a literature having “considerable variation in testing methods, inconsistent validity and reliability of cognitive testing methods, and differences between dietary patterns and cognitive outcomes examined,” reducing the ability to draw conclusions (USDA/HHS 2020). The lack of harmonization is a long-standing challenge in the field of nutrition and cognition, recognized over many decades. As the challenge faced by the 2020 DGAC is likely to still be in place for the 2025 DGAC’s review, one potential solution is to develop an approach to this literature.

The Cognitive Health Committee explores how dietary patterns, foods, nutrients and bioactive food components support optimization and maintenance of cognitive performance and mood- and emotion-related outcomes. See recent publications and upcoming events to learn more about the committee’s work.

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Expert Group:

Lyn Steffen, PhD, MPH, University of Minnesota – Co-Chair

Rafael de la Torre Fornell, PharmD, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute – Co-Chair

Amaia Ayala-García, PhD, MPH, Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain

Courtney K Blackwell, PhD, Northwestern University

Christina Khoo, PhD, Ocean Spray Cranberries

Maxwell Armand Mansolf, PhD, Northwestern University

Emilio Ros, MD, PhD, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain

Natalia Soldevila-Domenech, PhD, MPH, Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain

Linda Snetselaar, PhD, RD, University of Iowa

Tina Wey, PhD, Maelstrom Research, McGill University Health Centre

So Yun Yi, MPH, University of Minnesota

Open Science

Aligned with IAFNS’ commitment to open science practices, this project has been added to the IAFNS Collection on the Open Science Framework. Note: this link redirects you to an external website.

Committee Publications

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Other Projects Supported by the Committee

Nourish the Mind: An Umbrella Review of Nutrients Supporting Brain Health Across the Lifespan

Nutrition Meets Neuroscience Mapping Nutrition for a Healthier Brain Cognitive decline has become more a more prominent health concern in the US and globally, in […]

Translation of Nutrition & Cognitive Health Science: Understanding Stakeholder Strategies, Challenges and Needs

Turning Data Into Understanding Translating Nutrition and Brain Health Science for the Public It is clear through qualitative investigation that there is an opportunity to […]

Guidance for Reporting of Test Parameters in Nutrition and Cognition Research

Clear Methods, Stronger Evidence Strengthening Reporting Standards in Nutrition and Cognition Research In many publications focused on the effects of nutrition on cognitive performance, reporting […]

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