BrainWaves #135 Brain food

MedLink Neurology Podcast is delighted to feature selected episodes from BrainWaves, courtesy of James E Siegler MD, its originator and host. BrainWaves is an academic audio podcast whose mission is to educate medical providers through clinical cases and topical reviews in neurology, medicine, and the humanities, and episodes originally aired from 2016 to 2021.

Originally released: April 4, 2019

A low-salt diet can reduce your risk of hypertension. A low-carb diet can reduce your risk of diabetes. But is there a diet out there, which can lower your risk of neurologic disease? Specifically, dementia? The answer is...maybe? This week on the program we work our way up the food chain describing the vital micronutrients, food groups, and fad diets out there that may promote brain health--and could even lower your risk of dementia. Sit back, grab some blueberries, and enjoy!

Produced by James E Siegler. Music courtesy of Axeltree, Chris Zabriskie, John Pazdan, Josh Woodward, Kevin McLeod, and Pachyderm. Sound effects by Mike Koenig and Daniel Simion. BrainWaves' podcasts and online content are intended for medical education only and should not be used for clinical decision-making. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @brainwavesaudio for the latest updates to the podcast.

REFERENCES

Devore EE, Kang JH, Breteler MM, Grodstein F. Dietary intakes of berries and flavonoids in relation to cognitive decline. Ann Neurol 2012;72(1):135-43. PMID 22535616

Kennedy DO, Wightman EL, Reay JL, et al. Effects of resveratrol on cerebral blood flow variables and cognitive performance in humans: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover investigation. Am J Clin Nutr 2010;91(6):1590-7. PMID 20357044

Lefèvre-Arbogast S, Gaudout D, Bensalem J, et al. Pattern of polyphenol intake and the long-term risk of dementia in older persons. Neurology 2018;90(22):e1979-88. PMID 29703769

Liu QP, Wu YF, Cheng HY, et al. Habitual coffee consumption and risk of cognitive decline/dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Nutrition 2016;32(6):628-36. PMID 26944757

Miller MG, Hamilton DA, Joseph JA, Shukitt-Hale B. Dietary blueberry improves cognition among older adults in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Eur J Nutr 2018;57(3):1169-80. PMID 28283823

Morris MC, Tangney CC, Wang Y, et al. MIND diet slows cognitive decline with aging. Alzheimers Dement 2015;11(9):1015-22. PMID 26086182

Newman JC, Covarrubias AJ, Zhao M, et al. Ketogenic diet reduces midlife mortality and improves memory in aging mice. Cell Metab 2017;26(3):547-57. PMID 28877458

Norton S, Matthews FE, Barnes DE, Yaffe K, Brayne C. Potential for primary prevention of Alzheimer's disease: an analysis of population-based data. Lancet Neurol 2014;13(8):788-94. Erratum in: Lancet Neurol 2014;13(11):1070. PMID 25030513

Okkersen K, Jimenez-Moreno C, Wenninger S, et al. Cognitive behavioural therapy with optional graded exercise therapy in patients with severe fatigue with myotonic dystrophy type 1: a multicentre, single-blind, randomised trial. Lancet Neurol 2018;17(8):671-80. PMID 29934199

Radd-Vagenas S, Duffy SL, Naismith SL, Brew BJ, Flood VM, Fiatarone Singh MA. Effect of the Mediterranean diet on cognition and brain morphology and function: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr 2018;107(3):389-404. PMID 29566197

Valls-Pedret C, Sala-Vila A, Serra-Mir M, et al. Mediterranean diet and age-related cognitive decline: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Intern Med 2015;175(7):1094-103. Erratum in: JAMA Intern Med 2018;178(12):1731-2. PMID 25961184

Xu W, Wang H, Wan Y, et al. Alcohol consumption and dementia risk: a dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies. Eur J Epidemiol 2017;32(1):31-42. PMID 28097521

We believe that the principles expressed or implied in the podcast remain valid, but certain details may be superseded by evolving knowledge since the episode’s original release date.