About this Research Topic

Background

Cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) are progressive neurological conditions associated with adverse health outcomes and low quality of life in older adults. The concurrent increase in the prevalence of age-related cognitive decline paralleled with an increase in ADRD poses a significant burden on health care, social-economic, and public health systems. The lack of effective cures or therapies to ameliorate disease progression and symptoms makes prevention through modifiable factors (i.e., lifestyle, diet, educational intervention) a critical public health priority. A growing body of evidence suggests that modifiable lifestyle and dietary factors may prevent or delay the onset of ADRD or other neurodegenerative diseases. Diet, nutrients, and lifestyle factors in midlife are associated with cognitive function later in life. The proposed underlying mechanisms include that the nutrients, foods, or dietary patterns with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities preserve brain functioning and slow cognitive decline. Further investigation on the potentials of lowering the risk of ADRD through early intervention and modifiable risk factors has significant public health implications.

The main themes of this Research Topic are to explore preventive strategies for cognitive decline and to investigate the roles of genetic risk, inflammation, and biomarkers in cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. Interventions targeting individuals in midlife are suggested to be more effective to slow the ageing brain. In this sense, the study of the impact of new interventional approaches aiming to promote healthy ageing through education on nutrition, food processing, and cooking methods could allow individuals to benefit more from the nutritional properties of an optimal diet.

This Research Topic welcomes Original Research articles including but not limited to the following:
• Early prevention through modifiable risk factors and risk of neurodegenerative disease
• Association between lifestyle intervention and early biomarkers of cognitive decline
• Diet, nutrients, and their interaction with genetic risk factors on risk of ADRD
• Modifiable risk factors, i.e., diet, lifestyle factors, and characteristics of brain structure
• Lifestyle intervention studies aiming to promote healthy ageing, especially through interventions in midlife
• Interventions conducted to promote the reduction of advanced glycation end-product and related toxins, and involvement of these compounds in relation to risk factors associated with dementia exacerbation
• Interventions to reduce pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidative products and involvement of these products in relation to risk factors associated to dementia exacerbation

Keywords: Neurodegenerative Diseases, Diet, Inflammation, educational intervention, Cognition

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