Mediterranean diet and cognitive function: the SUN project.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to evaluate the association between adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) and cognitive function in 823 participants (62 ± 6 years at baseline) from a Spanish prospective cohort (SUN project).


METHODS
A validated 136-item food frequency questionnaire was used to assess the adherence to the MedDiet at baseline. The 10-point (0 to 9) MedDiet Score was used to categorize adherence to MedDiet. Cognitive function was assessed twice at follow-up with a mean follow-up time between exposure and outcome assessment of 6 and 8y using the Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status-modified (TICS-m, range 0 to 54 points). ANCOVA models were used to assess the association between adherence to the MedDiet and cognitive decline.


RESULTS
In the multivariable-adjusted analysis of 2-year changes, a higher cognitive decline was observed among participants with low or moderate baseline adherence to the MedDiet than among those with better adherence (adjusted difference = -0.56 points in TICS-m, 95% CI = -0.99 to -0.13).


CONCLUSIONS
A higher adherence to the MedDiet might be associated with better cognitive function. However, observed differences were of small magnitude and further studies are needed to confirm this finding.
Cecilia Galbete, PhD, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Navarra and University of Navarra Clinic, Pamplona, Spain, C/ Irunlarrea nº 1, Pamplona, Navarra, E-31008, Spain, Tel.: +34 948 425 600, ext. 6463, Fax: +34 948 425 740, E-mail: cgalbete@alumni.unav.es.
C
C
Galbete
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Toledo
J B
JB
Toledo
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Bes-Rastrollo
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Buil-Cosiales
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Marti
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F
Guillén-Grima
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Martínez-González
D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005502:Food; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors