title: Enhancing dentate gyrus function with dietary flavanols improves cognition in older adults.
abstract: The dentate gyrus (DG) is a region in the hippocampal formation whose function declines in association with human aging and is therefore considered to be a possible source of age-related memory decline. Causal evidence is needed, however, to show that DG-associated memory decline in otherwise healthy elders can be improved by interventions that enhance DG function. We addressed this issue by first using a high-resolution variant of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to map the precise site of age-related DG dysfunction and to develop a cognitive task whose function localized to this anatomical site. Then, in a controlled randomized trial, we applied these tools to study healthy 50-69-year-old subjects who consumed either a high or low cocoa flavanol-containing diet for 3 months. A high-flavanol intervention was found to enhance DG function, as measured by fMRI and by cognitive testing. Our findings establish that DG dysfunction is a driver of age-related cognitive decline and suggest non-pharmacological means for its amelioration.
authors.affiliation: 1] Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA. [2] Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Adam M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Brickman
authors.affiliation: 1] Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA. [2] Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Usman A
authors.initials: UA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: 1] Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA. [2] Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Frank A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Provenzano
authors.affiliation: 1] Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA. [2] Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Lok-Kin
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.affiliation: Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.affiliation: MARS Inc., McLean, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: Hagen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schroeter
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA. [2] New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wall
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA. [2] New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Richard P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Sloan
authors.affiliation: 1] Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA. [2] Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA. [3] Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA. [4] Department of Radiology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Scott A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Small
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D000368:Aged; D002099:Cacao; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D018891:Dentate Gyrus / Q000502:physiology*; D004032:Diet / Q000379:methods*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D044950:Flavanones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D044950:Flavanones