Abstract
Background
Cardiovascular disease and vascular risk factors increase rates of cognitive impairment,
but very little is known regarding prevention in this high-risk group. The heart-healthy
Mediterranean-type dietary pattern may beneficially influence both vascular and cognitive
outcomes.
Objectives
We examined the association between Mediterranean-style diet and cognitive decline
in women with prevalent vascular disease or ≥3 coronary risk factors.
Design/participants/setting
Prospective cohort study among 2,504 women participants in the Women's Antioxidant
Cardiovascular Study (WACS), a cohort of female health professionals. Adherence to
a Mediterranean-style diet was determined at WACS baseline (1995-1996) using a 0-
to 9-point scale with higher scores indicating higher adherence. In 1998-2000, participants
aged ≥65 years underwent a telephone cognitive battery including five tests of global
cognition, verbal memory, and category fluency. Tests were administered three additional
times across 5.4 years.
Statistical analyses performed
We used multivariable-adjusted generalized linear models for repeated measures to
compare the annual rates of cognitive score changes across tertiles of Mediterranean
diet score, as assessed at WACS baseline.
Results
In both basic- and multivariable-adjusted models, consuming a Mediterranean-style
diet was not related to cognitive decline. No effect modification was detected by
age, education, depression, cardiovascular disease severity at WACS baseline, or level
of cognition at initial assessment.
Conclusions
In women at higher risk of cognitive decline due to vascular disease or risk factors,
adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet was not associated with subsequent 5-year
cognitive change.
Keywords
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Biography
M.-N. Vercambre is a research scientist, Foundation for Public Health, Mutuelle Generale de l'Education Nationale (MGEN), Paris, France.
Biography
F. Grodstein is an associate professor of Medicine, Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, and associate professor, Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA.
Biography
C. Berr is research director, INSERM U 1061, University Montpellier I, Montpellier, France.
Biography
J. H. Kang is an assistant professor of Medicine, Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 23, 2012
Accepted:
February 22,
2012
Footnotes
Funding/Support This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (grant nos. HL046959 and AG15933), a Scientist Development Grant from the American Heart Association, and by the Bettencourt-Schueller Foundation for a postdoctoral fellowship.
Statement of Potential Conflict of Interest No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
