Dietary Patterns Associated with Cognition During Aging
In 2011, 15% of Canadians 65 and older were living with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common form of dementia. Despite the fact that the cause of AD is not known, age and the presence of the epsilon 4 allele of apolipoprotein E (APOE4) are the most important risk factors. Diet is central to health and some studies are emerging to establish relation between dietary patterns (DP) and chronic diseases instead of single nutrients or macronutrients. Our hypothesis is that the participants consuming a Prudent (healthy) diet have higher global cognition and verbal fluency than those consuming a Western profile and this is independent of age but dependent on APOE4 genotype. The goal of this study is to provide useful information to the food and nutrition industry to design appropriate foods that fits into the beneficial dietary patterns for those at risk for AD.
Institution: Université de Sherbrooke
Principal Investigator: Melanie Plourde, PhD
Year Awarded: 2017
The IAFNS Future Leader Award, given annually to promising nutrition and food scientists, allows new investigators the opportunity to add to an existing project or to conduct exploratory research that might not receive funding from other sources or add to an existing project. Consideration is given to individuals proposing research in the areas of experimental nutrition, nutrition and toxicology, and nutrition and food science. Grants extend for a period of 2 years at a funding level of $15,000 USD per year. Funds may not be used for overhead or to support the investigator’s salary.
