Shared Neuropathological Characteristics of Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes and Alzheimer's Disease: Impacts on Cognitive Decline.
In the past few decades, the prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), as well as older individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD), has increased. While the consumption of diets high in fat (total and saturated) have been linked to increased risk of AD, diets rich in antioxidants, polyunsaturated fats, and omega-3 fatty acids are associated with decreased risk. Additionally, AD patients are at increased risk for developing T2DM. Recent research suggests that there are stronger similarities between AD and T2DM than have previously been considered. Here we review the neurocognitive and inflammatory effects of high-fat diet consumption, its relationship to AD, and the treatment potential of dietary interventions that may decrease risk of cognitive decline and other associated neuropathological changes, such as insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammatory processes.
Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, 2213 Garland Ave., Nashville, TN 37232, USA. Jennifer.m.walker@vanderbilt.edu.
Jennifer M
JM
Walker
Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, 2213 Garland Ave., Nashville, TN 37232, USA. Fiona.harrison@vanderbilt.edu.
Fiona E
FE
Harrison
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003071:Cognition; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D059305:Diet, High-Fat / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D007328:Insulin
Alzheimer’s disease; animal models; cognition; diet reversal; high fat diets; humans; inflammation; insulin resistance; obesity; type 2 diabetes mellitus