Alcohol, coffee and tea intake and the risk of cognitive deficits: a dose-response meta-analysis

Impact of tea and coffee consumption during pregnancy on children's cognitive development

Evidence on the association between maternal tea/coffee consumption and children's cognitive development is limited. This study included 1423 mother-child pairs from the Chinese National Birth Cohort (CNBC). Maternal tea/coffee consumption status was collected in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. Cognitive development was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development III (BSID-III) in children aged averagely 36-months. We utilized group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) to fit trajectories of maternal tea/coffee consumption across the three trimesters of pregnancy. Linear regression models were used to analyze the association between maternal tea/coffee consumption and children's cognitive development scores. Positive associations between maternal tea consumption during pregnancy and children's cognitive development were observed. Children of mothers who belonged to a continuous tea drinking trajectory throughout pregnancy had higher cognition, fine motor, and gross motor scores than those whose mothers belonged to a trajectory of tea-drinking in the 1st trimester of pregnancy, only. Comparison of tea-drinkers (yes/no) in each trimester separately indicated that tea-drinking in the second and third trimesters were more strongly associated with the outcomes than tea-drinking in the 1st trimester. The second and third trimesters of pregnancy might be key periods regarding maternal tea consumption affecting children's cognitive development. No significant association were found between maternal coffee consumption during pregnancy and children's cognitive development. The GBTM modelling provides clues to truly reflect the status and trajectory of pregnant women's tea and coffee consumption across different trimesters as their lifestyles change dynamically throughout pregnancy, which provides new motivation to investigate the association between maternal life pattern with offspring's cognitive development.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Poststroke Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Stroke is a common disease that poses a significant threat to human health. Approximately one-third of stroke patients experience poststroke cognitive impairment (PSCI), which severely impacts their quality of life and survival time. Although the prevalence and risk factors for PSCI have been widely reported, these results have not been synthesized.

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review was conducted to explore the prevalence and risk factors of PSCI.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were comprehensively searched for studies exploring the prevalence and risk factors of PSCI from inception to July 5, 2022.

RESULTS

A total of 49 articles were included for meta-analysis. It was found that the combined prevalence of PSCI was 39%-47%. Risk factors for PSCI include female gender, age, education level less than 7 years, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, smoking, drinking, hypertension, coronary artery disease, carotid artery plaque, admission NIHSS score ≥ 5, unemployment, and homocysteine.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review has revealed a combined prevalence of PSCI is ranging from 39% to 47% and identified several risk factors for PSCI. These findings indicate a high incidence of the condition and underscore the need for increased public awareness. Future investigations should prioritize the identification of PSCI risk factors, providing a theoretical basis for nursing professionals to effectively manage and treat PSCI patients.

Hormone replacement therapy, menopausal age and lifestyle variables are associated with better cognitive performance at follow-up but not cognition over time in older-adult women irrespective of APOE4 carrier status and co-morbidities

Introduction

The impact of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) on cognitive function in postmenopausal women remains a topic of considerable debate. Although estrogen's neuroprotective effects suggest potential cognitive benefits, empirical findings are mixed.

Methods

This study uses data from the Cognitive Function and Ageing Study Wales (CFAS Wales) cohort to explore the relationships between HRT use, age at menopause, APOE4 carrier status, lifestyle factors, comorbidities, and cognitive outcomes in older adult women. Two regression models were employed: one analyzing cognitive performance at follow-up and another examining changes in cognitive scores over time.

Results

Results indicate that while age, education, HRT use, age at menopause, alcohol consumption, and diet were associated with cognitive function at a single later time point, only age remained a significant predictor when modeling cognition over time.

Discussion

These findings suggest that while HRT, menopausal age and lifestyle factors may support cognitive stability, they do not necessarily predict cognitive decline in post-menopausal older women. A major limitation of the current work is the lack of detail regarding HRT use, such as formulation, timing and duration; caveats that future studies should address. The study underscores the need for longer follow-up periods, consideration of other female-specific risk factors, and more comprehensive lifestyle and health assessments to clarify the complex interplay between HRT use, reproductive history, lifestyle, comorbidities and cognitive aging in women.

A longitudinal cohort study demonstrating the beneficial effect of moderate consumption of green tea and coffee on the prevention of dementia: The JPHC Saku Mental Health Study

BACKGROUND

While the preventive effects of green tea and coffee on cognitive decline have been demonstrated, their long-term effects on cognition remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the effect of green tea and coffee consumption in middle age on the prevention of dementia.

METHODS

This population-based cohort study included 1155 participants (aged 44-66 in 1995). Participants' consumption of green tea and coffee was assessed using questionnaires in 1995 and 2000. Their cognitive levels were neuropsychologically evaluated in 2025-2015. Logistic regression analyses were conducted with significant cognitive decline (defined as multi-domain cognitive decline and more severe conditions) as the dependent variable. Stratified analyses were also conducted by sex and age.

RESULTS

Individuals who consumed 2-3 cups of green tea daily had a significantly reduced risk of cognitive decline (OR = 0.56, 95%CI: 0.35-0.91) after adjusting potential confounders. However, this effect was not significant with consumption of 4 or more cups. This protective effect was particularly observed in males (OR = 0.38, 95%CI: 0.19-0.76). A significant risk reduction was also observed in individuals consuming one or more cups of coffee daily (OR = 0.54, 95%CI: 0.34-0.84) in the older subjects (median age [53 years old] and older in 1995) in the same fully adjusted model, but not in the entire sample.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that moderate green tea consumption in midlife may have a beneficial effect on preventing dementia, particularly in males. The effects of coffee consumption may be more advantageous for older individuals.

Prevalence of cognitive impairment and its related factors among Chinese older adults: an analysis based on the 2018 CHARLS data

Background

Cognitive impairment is a major public health concern in aging societies. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of cognitive impairment and its associated factors among Chinese adults aged 60 years and older using data from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).

Methods

Utilizing data from the 2018 wave of CHARLS, we assessed participants' cognitive status using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the influencing factors related to cognitive impairment were analyzed by using the chi-square test and multifactor logistic regression. The prevalence of cognitive impairment was stratified by gender, education level, residence, marital status, daytime napping, and nighttime sleep duration, and the trend of cognitive impairment prevalence with age was observed.

Results

9,804 participants were finally included in the study and the overall prevalence of cognitive impairment was 44.04% (95%CI, 43.02-45.06%). The prevalence was significantly higher in females (50.8%) than males (37.1%), and increased with age, from 41.5% in those aged 60-64 years to 57.7% in those aged ≥75 years. Lower educational level, rural residence, and being divorced/ widowed/unmarried were associated with a higher prevalence of cognitive impairment (all p < 0.001). Multifactor logistic regression indicated that older age (OR = 1.51, 95%CI, 1.33-1.73 for ≥75 vs. 60-64 years), female gender (OR = 1.54, 95%CI, 1.35-1.77), higher education (OR = 0.46, 95%CI, 0.42-0.51 for primary school and below vs. illiteracy), rural areas (OR = 2.35, 95%CI, 2.07-2.65 for village vs. the center of city/town), divorced/ widowed/unmarried status (OR = 1.40, 95%CI, 1.25-1.57) and participation in physical activity (OR = 0.80, 95%CI, 0.73-0.87) were significantly associated with cognitive impairment.

Conclusion

Cognitive impairment is highly prevalent among older adults in China with substantial demographic disparities. Targeted interventions and public health strategies are needed to promote cognitive health in this rapidly aging population.

Associations among healthy lifestyle characteristics, neuroinflammation, and cerebrospinal fluid core biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease in cognitively intact adults: The CABLE study

BACKGROUND

The occurrence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) can be partially prevented through healthy lifestyles, but the mechanisms associated with AD pathology are unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To explore associations among healthy lifestyle characteristics (HLCs), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) soluble TREM2 (sTREM2), and AD biomarkers.

METHODS

From the Chinese Alzheimer's Biomarker and LifestylE (CABLE) study, 924 cognitively normal participants were enrolled in this cross-sectional analysis. We defined the following 11 HLCs: appropriate frequencies of coffee and tea consumption, sufficient frequencies of fish and fruit intake, non-social isolation, adequate sleep, regular physical activity, no depression, never smoking, non-hazardous drinking, and well-maintained blood pressure. We categorized participants according to the number of HLCs reported by participants into favorable, intermediate, and unfavorable lifestyle groups. Multiple linear regression was used to investigate the relationship among HLCs, CSF sTREM2, and AD biomarkers. Mediation effects were tested using a causal mediation analysis having 10,000 bootstrap iterations.

RESULTS

Included subjects were with a mean age of 61.8 ± 10.2 years, of which 41.8% were female. Sufficient fish intake (β = -0.164, p = 0.017) and well-maintained blood pressure (β = -0.232, p = 0.006) were significantly correlated with lower CSF sTREM2 levels. A larger number of HLCs were associated with lower CSF T-tau (p = 0.001), P-tau (p = 0.012), and sTREM2 (p = 0.040) levels. CSF sTREM2 partially mediated the association between the number of HLCs and CSF tau pathology (mediating proportion T-tau: 22.4%; P-tau: 25.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

HLCs might impact the pathological processes of AD by regulating neuroinflammation.

The association between Chinese adapted MIND diet and cognitive function in Chinese middle-aged and older adults: results from the Chinese Square Dance Cohort

PURPOSE

This study aimed to assess the relationship between Chinese adapted MIND diet and cognitive functioning and performance in different cognitive domains across a cross-section of Chinese middle-aged and older adults.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used baseline data from the Lifestyle and Healthy Ageing in Chinese Square Dancers study. Chinese adapted MIND diet scores were calculated from a detailed retrospective semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire assessment. By averaging the z-scores of Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), Verbal Fluency Test (VFT), Digital Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), and Trail Making Test-B (TMT-B), a comprehensive z-score is obtained to represent global cognition. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was diagnosed based on Petersen's criteria. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the relationship between Chinese adapted MIND diet scores and z-scores of cognitive functions, and multiple logistic regression models were used to assess the association between diet scores and MCI.

RESULTS

In this study, a total of 4335 participants were included, whose mean age was 63.61 years (SD = 5.15), 85.07% were female, and 13.33% (578/4335) of them had MCI. In the fully adjusted model, the group with the highest diet scores had the best cognitive function compared to the group with the lowest diet scores (P < 0.05), including global cognitive function (β = 0.10, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.15), AVLT (β = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.20), VFT (β = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.20), DSST (β = 0.07, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.14), and TMT-B (β =-0.10, 95% CI: -0.18, -0.01). In addition, compared to the lowest group, the highest diet scores group were associated with lower odd ratio of MCI (OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.51, 0.93).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support that higher adherence to Chinese adapted MIND diet is associated with better cognitive function and lower prevalence odds ratio for MCI in a Chinese middle-aged and older population.

Advancing gastric cancer treatment: nanotechnology innovations and future prospects

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide, particularly prevalent in Asia, especially in China, where both its incidence and mortality rates are significantly high. Meanwhile, nanotechnology has demonstrated great potential in the treatment of GC. In particular, nanodrug delivery systems have improved therapeutic efficacy and targeting through various functional modifications, such as targeting peptides, tumor microenvironment responsiveness, and instrument-based methods. For instance, silica (SiO2) has excellent biocompatibility and can be used as a drug carrier, with its porous structure enhancing drug loading capacity. Polymer nanoparticles regulate drug release rates and mechanisms by altering material composition and preparation methods. Lipid nanoparticles efficiently encapsulate hydrophilic drugs and promote cellular uptake, while carbon-based nanoparticles can be used in biosensors and drug delivery. Targets such as integrins, HER2 receptors, and the tumor microenvironment have been used to improve drug efficacy in GC treatment. Nanodrug delivery techniques not only enhance drug efficacy and delivery capabilities but also selectively target tumor cells. Currently, there is a lack of systematic summarization and synthesis regarding the relationship between nanodrug delivery systems and GC treatment, which to some extent hinders researchers and clinicians from efficiently searching for and referencing related studies, thereby reducing work efficiency. This study aims to systematically summarize the existing research on the relationship between nanodrug delivery systems and GC treatment, making it easier for professionals to search and reference, and thereby promoting further research on the role of nanodrug delivery systems and their clinical applications in GC. This review discusses the applications of functionalized nanocarriers in the treatment of GC in recent years, including surface modifications with targeted markers, the combination of phototherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, along with their advantages and challenges. It also examines the future prospects of targeted nanomaterials in GC treatment. The review particularly focuses on the combined application of nanocarriers in multiple treatment modalities, such as phototherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, demonstrating their potential in multimodal treatments. Furthermore, it thoroughly explores the specific challenges that nanocarriers face in GC treatment, such as biocompatibility, drug release control, and clinical translation issues, while providing a systematic outlook on future developments. Additionally, this study emphasizes the potential value and feasibility of nanocarriers in clinical applications, contrasting with most reviews that focus on basic research. Through these innovations, we offer new perspectives and directions for the development of nanotechnology in the treatment of GC.

Lifestyle factors associated with episodic memory in middle-aged and older adults: evidence from a 9-year longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Episodic memory naturally deteriorates with age, and its deficits are widely recognized as the most significant feature and the most sensitive indicator of cognitive decline. It has been suggested that adopting a healthy lifestyle can play a protective role in preserving episodic memory. This study aimed to systematically examine the relationship between lifestyle factors (social activities, leisure activities, physical activities, internet use, smoking, alcohol drinking, and sleep quality) and episodic memory in middle-aged and older adults.

METHODS

The current study included 10,392 participants from the Chinese Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey. A linear mixed model was used to explore the associations between lifestyle factors and episodic memory performance and the age- and sex-specific effects of the association.

RESULTS

Low-frequency alcohol drinking, higher engagement in social, leisure, and physical activities, increased internet use, and improved sleep quality were associated with better episodic memory performance in middle-aged and older adults. Stratified analyses demonstrated that internet use significantly correlated with episodic memory performance in middle-aged adults but not in older adults. On the other hand, sleep quality showed a significant association with episodic memory performance in women but not in men.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the association between various lifestyle factors and episodic memory performance, with variations observed based on age and sex. Adopting healthy lifestyle factors can have positive effects on episodic memory in middle-aged adults, emphasizing the importance of adhering to healthy lifestyles from middle age onwards to counteract episodic memory decline.

No significant difference in salivary cortisol response on the Trier Social Stress Test-Online based on coffee consumption habits

BACKGROUND

Coffee is widely consumed around the world. In Japan, it is a type of "Shikohin" (consumed for flavor, not nutrition). Several medical studies have reported the beneficial effects of coffee consumption, whereas others suggest that these beneficial effects on psychological aspects are marginal. The habit of consuming large amounts of caffeine through coffee may improve short-term resilience in stressful situations and may exhaust individuals in the long term. We hypothesized that people who habitually drink high amounts of coffee would have lower resilience scores and higher acute stress responses.

METHODS

Adult Japanese men completed a questionnaire that included a resilience scale and Shikohin consumption habits. Experimental participants were recruited from the survey respondents and classified into three groups based on their coffee consumption per day: No Coffee, Low Coffee, and High Coffee. All participants were asked to join the Trier Social Stress Test-Online (TSST-OL). Subjective stress and salivary cortisol concentrations was measured at eight time points during the experiment. There were 16 participants in each group for the analysis (mean age = 46.10 years, SD = 12.58).

RESULTS

Statistical analysis showed that both subjective stress and salivary cortisol concentrations significantly increased following TSST-OL exposure. However, there were no significant differences among the groups, and the hypotheses were not supported.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated the effectiveness and stability of the TSST-OL. Additionally, coffee consumption habits were not significantly related to resilience scale scores or acute stress responses.

Association between coffee and tea consumption and the risk of dementia in individuals with hypertension: a prospective cohort study

Many studies have shown that drinking coffee and tea may be associated with the risk of hypertension and dementia. Limited research exists on their impact on dementia risk in hypertensive patients. This study aimed to determine the association between coffee and tea consumption and the risk of dementia development in hypertensive population by utilizing Cox proportional risk modeling with 453,913 participants from a UK biobank. Our findings reveal a J-shaped and U-shaped association between the risk of all-cause dementia and the consumption of coffee and tea respectively in hypertensive people. The hypertensive patients who drink 0.5-1 cup of coffee or 4-5 cups of tea per day have the lowest risk of dementia. A U-shaped relationship was observed between daily caffeine consumption and the risk of developing all-cause dementia and vascular dementia in the hypertensive population. Furthermore, the significant association between the amount of coffee and tea consumed and the risk of all-cause and vascular dementia were more likely to be found in hypertensive patients than in the non-hypertensive population.

A meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized clinical trials on the effect of coffee consumption on heart rate

CONTEXT

Resting heart rate (HR) is increasingly recognized as an indicator of disease and overall morbidity and mortality. Whether chronic coffee consumption affects resting HR is an important consideration for individual consumers as well as from a public health perspective.

OBJECTIVE

A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to examine the effectiveness of coffee consumption on resting HR.

DATA SOURCES

Original RCTs assessing the effect of coffee consumption on resting HR and published prior to March 2023 were identified by searching online databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases.

DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS

Data searches and extraction and risk-of-bias assessments were performed according to the Cochrane guidelines, and the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for systematic reviews were followed. Data on study characteristics, type, and amount of coffee and net change and measurement resting HR were extracted. A random-effects or a fixed-effects model was used to estimate the pooled effect sizes. Homogeneity was determined with the Cochran Q test, and publication bias was assessed through Begg's test, Egger's test, and funnel plots.

RESULTS

A total of 6 RCTs with 11 intervention trials or arms involving 485 individuals were included. The participants were generally healthy, although some had hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, or were overweight. The trial duration ranged from 2 weeks to 24 weeks. The overall pooled analysis showed that coffee consumption resulted in a negligible increase in resting HR of 0.40 beats per minute (95% CI: -0.78 to 1.57; P = 0.506), which was statistically insignificant. Subgroup analysis of all specified categories was consistent with the overall analysis. No heterogeneity was observed among included trials (I2 = 0.0%, P = 0.756).

CONCLUSION

The results of the present meta-analysis study demonstrate that daily coffee consumption of 3 to 6 cups for a period of 2 to 24 weeks has no statistically significant effect on resting HR.

Change in Healthy Lifestyle and Subsequent Risk of Cognitive Impairment Among Chinese Older Adults: A National Community-Based Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The association between change in lifestyle and cognitive impairment remains uncertain.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association of change in lifestyle with cognitive impairment.

METHODS

In this study, 4 938 participants aged 65 or older were involved from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey for years 2008-2018. A weighted healthy lifestyle score was derived from 4 lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and diet). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were applied to investigate the associations between 3-year changes in healthy lifestyle (2008-2011) and cognitive impairment (2011-2018).

RESULTS

Researchers documented 833 new-onset of cognitive impairments more than 20 097 person-years of follow up. Compared with those in the persistently unhealthy group, those in the improved and persistently healthy groups had a lower risk of cognitive impairment, with the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of 0.67 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.55, 0.83) and 0.53 (95% CI: 0.40, 0.71), respectively. Furthermore, a significant interaction was observed between change in lifestyle and sex (p-interaction = .032); the HRs were 0.48 (95% CI, 0.34, 0.69) for the improved group and 0.41 (95% CI: 0.26, 0.64) for persistently healthy group among male vs 0.81 (95% CI, 0.63, 1.04) and 0.64 (95% CI, 0.44, 0.92) among female, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that improving or maintaining a healthy lifestyle can significantly mitigate the risk of cognitive impairment in Chinese older adults. Additionally, researcher's findings emphasize the significance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and highlights the potential positive impact of improving previous unhealthy habits, especially for older women.

Effects of coffee on cognitive function

This chapter thoroughly examines coffee's impact on cognitive function. It synthesizes research findings involving animals and humans, investigating coffee's influence on various memory and cognitive aspects, including short-term/working memory, long-term memory, attention, vigilance, executive functions, and processing speed. The chapter also discusses moderating factors, such as dose-response relationships, individual differences, age, and habitual consumption patterns, that influence the cognitive effects of coffee. Additionally, it addresses the potential risks and adverse effects associated with coffee intake, memory, and cognitive function, including stress and anxiety, sleep disturbances, cardiovascular effects, and addiction. Studies suggest moderate coffee intake improves attention, processing speed, decision-making, and certain executive functions. However, the effects vary depending on factors like dosage, individual traits, age, and sleep habits. Despite potential benefits, coffee consumption may lead to adverse effects such as anxiety, sleep issues, cardiovascular concerns, and dependency. Future research should address methodological concerns, incorporate neuroimaging methods, explore interactions with other substances, and investigate long-term effects and therapeutic uses. Understanding coffee's neuroscience can shed light on its role in daily life and health.

Moderate coffee or tea consumption decreased the risk of cognitive disorders: an updated dose-response meta-analysis

CONTEXT

Although several epidemiological studies have examined the association between coffee or tea intake and the risk of cognitive disorders, the results to date are inconsistent.

OBJECTIVE

An updated systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis was conducted to confirm the association between coffee, tea, and caffeine consumption and the risk of cognitive disorders.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched from inception to January 2022 for relevant studies, including dementia, Alzheimer disease (AD), and cognitive impairment or decline.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two reviewers independently performed data extraction and assessed the study quality.

DATA ANALYSIS

Restricted cubic splines were used to conduct the dose-response meta-analysis for coffee and tea intake.

RESULTS

Twenty-two prospective studies and 11 case-control studies involving 389 505 participants were eligible for this meta-analysis. Coffee and tea consumption was linked to a lower risk of cognitive disorders, with an overall relative risk (RR) of 0.73 (95% CI: 0.60-0.86) and 0.68 (95% CI: 0.56-0.80), respectively. The subgroup analysis revealed that ethnicity, sex, and outcomes had significant effects on this association. Protection was stronger for men than that for women in both coffee and tea consumption. A nonlinear relationship was found between coffee consumption and AD risk, and the strength of protection peaked at approximately 2.5 cups/day (RR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.59-0.93). A linear relationship was found between tea consumption and cognitive disorders, and the risk decreased by 11% for every 1-cup/day increment.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis demonstrated that the consumption of 2.5 cups coffee/day minimizes the risk of AD, and 1 cup/day of tea intake leads to an 11% reduction in cognitive deficits. Effective interventions involving coffee and tea intake might prevent the occurrence of dementia.

Associations of the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay diet with brain structural markers and their changes

INTRODUCTION

The associations of the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet with brain structural changes are unclear.

METHODS

Among 26,466 UK Biobank participants, a 15-point MIND score was calculated from 24-hour diet recalls from 2009 to 2012. We assessed its associations with 17 magnetic-resonance-derived brain volumetric markers and their longitudinal changes and explored whether genetic factors modify the associations.

RESULTS

Higher MIND adherence was associated with larger volumes of thalamus, putamen, pallidum, hippocampus, and accumbens (beta per 3-unit increment ranging from 0.024 to 0.033) and lower white matter hyperintensities (P-trends < 0.05), regardless of genetic predispositions of Alzheimer's disease. MIND score was not associated with their longitudinal changes (P > 0.05) over a median of 2.2 years among participants with repeated imaging assessments (N = 2963), but was associated with slower atrophy in putamen (beta: 0.026, P-trend = 0.044) and pallidum (beta: 0.030, P-trend = 0.033) among APOE ε4 non-carriers (N = 654).

DISCUSSION

The MIND diet showed beneficial associations with certain brain imaging markers, and its associations with long-term brain structural changes warrants future investigation.

HIGHLIGHTS

Adherence to the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet was significantly associated with higher volumes and larger gray matter volumes in certain brain regions in UK adults, and the associations were not modified by genetic factors. No significant associations were observed between MIND diet and longitudinal changes in the investigated brain structural markers over a median of 2.2 years. Higher MIND score was significantly associated with slower atrophy in the putamen and pallidum among APOE ε4 non-carriers.

Serial multiple mediation of loneliness and depressive symptoms in the relationship between pain and cognitive function among older people

OBJECTIVES

Although the negative effect of pain on cognitive function has been widely reported, it is unclear how the effect is mediated. The aim of this study is to analyze the mediating role of loneliness and depressive symptoms in the association between pain and cognitive function.

METHODS

A total of 6,309 participants aged ≥50 years from 2012/13 (T1), 2014/15 (T2), 2016/17 (T3) and 2018/19 (T4) of the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA) were included. Of them, 55.8% were females, and the median age (rang) was 65 (50-99) years at T1. Serial mediation analysis was performed using Mplus 8.3.

RESULTS

The mediation model explained 10.1% of the variance in loneliness, 22.1% of the variance of depressive symptoms, and 22.7% of the variance of cognitive function. Higher level pain was associated with poorer cognitive function (c: β = -0.057; p < 0.001). The negative effect of pain on cognition was mediated separately and sequentially through loneliness and depressive symptoms, with loneliness and depressive symptoms explaining 8.8% of the total effect, respectively, and the pathway of loneliness and subsequent depression explaining 1.8%.

CONCLUSIONS

Diversified interventions aimed at treating pain in older adults would be beneficial for their mental health and cognitive function.

Alcohol consumption, smoking, and risk of dementia in community-dwelling Japanese people aged 40-74 years: The Murakami cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Alcohol drinking and tobacco smoking have impacts on lifestyle-related diseases, but their association with dementia remains a debated topic. This study aimed to examine longitudinal associations between alcohol consumption, smoking, and dementia risk in middle-aged and older Japanese people.

METHODS

This study used a cohort design with an 8-year follow-up. Participants were community-dwelling Japanese people (N = 13,802) aged 40-74 years. The baseline survey, including a self-administered questionnaire, was conducted in 2011-2013. Predictors were alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking. The outcome was incident dementia obtained from a long-term care insurance database. Covariates were demographics, lifestyle factors, body mass index, general health status, and history of stroke, diabetes, and depression.

RESULTS

Participant mean age was 59.0 years. The 1-149, 150-299, and 300-449 g ethanol/week groups had significantly lower adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) (0.62, 0.59, and 0.47, respectively) compared with the reference group, with no significant linear association. HRs increased toward 1 when past-drinkers and those with poor health status and a disease history were excluded (0.80, 0.66, and 0.82, respectively). Higher smoking levels were dose-dependently associated with a higher HR (adjusted P for trend = 0.0105), with the ≥20 cigarettes/day group having a significantly higher adjusted HR (1.80). Heavy drinkers (≥449 g ethanol/week) with smoking habits, but not those without smoking habits, had higher dementia risk (P for interaction = 0.0046).

CONCLUSION

Light-to-moderate alcohol consumption is associated with decreased dementia risk, and smoking is dose-dependently associated with increased dementia risk, with an interaction between high alcohol consumption and smoking on dementia risk.

Impact of common ALDH2 inactivating mutation and alcohol consumption on Alzheimer's disease

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is an enzyme found in the mitochondrial matrix that plays a central role in alcohol and aldehyde metabolism. A common ALDH2 polymorphism in East Asians descent (called ALDH2*2 or E504K missense variant, SNP ID: rs671), present in approximately 8% of the world's population, has been associated with a variety of diseases. Recent meta-analyses support the relationship between this ALDH2 polymorphism and Alzheimer's disease (AD). And AD-like pathology observed in ALDH2-/- null mice and ALDH2*2 overexpressing transgenic mice indicate that ALDH2 deficiency plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AD. Recently, the worldwide increase in alcohol consumption has drawn attention to the relationship between heavy alcohol consumption and AD. Of potential clinical significance, chronic administration of alcohol in ALDH2*2/*2 knock-in mice exacerbates the pathogenesis of AD-like symptoms. Therefore, ALDH2 polymorphism and alcohol consumption likely play an important role in the onset and progression of AD. Here, we review the data on the relationship between ALDH2 polymorphism, alcohol, and AD, and summarize what is currently known about the role of the common ALDH2 inactivating mutation, ALDH2*2, and alcohol in the onset and progression of AD.

The relationship between dietary patterns derived from inflammation and cognitive impairment in patients undergoing hemodialysis

Introduction

Dietary patterns were shown to be closely related to inflammation, which was independently associated with cognitive impairment (CI) in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). However, it remains unclear the influence of dietary patterns derived from inflammation on CI in this population. This study aimed to examine the association between dietary patterns derived from C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and CI in patients undergoing HD.

Methods

Dietary intake was obtained from the simplified quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Reduced rank regression (RRR) was used to extract two dietary patterns, with IL-6 and CRP as response variables. Cognitive function was examined by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (Beijing version). Venous blood was drawn for measuring IL-6 and CRP levels. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate the association between dietary patterns and CI.

Results

Dietary pattern derived from IL-6 was not significantly associated with CI. The third quartile of dietary pattern, which used CRP as the response variable, significantly contributed to the increased risk of CI (AOR 8.62, 95% CI 1.47-50.67) after controlling age, sex, education level, marital status, and residential pattern (p-for-trend = 0.028). After considering hypertension and diabetes, physical activity level, anxiety and depression, smoking and drinking status, social support, energy intake, and the dietary pattern derived from IL-6 (p-for-trend = 0.026), the relationship between the dietary pattern derived from CRP and CI remained significant (AOR 14.54, 95% CI 1.40-151.13).

Conclusion

Dietary pattern associated with high CRP level, including high intake of rice, liquor, fruit, tea and coffee and low intake of dark vegetables and juice, contributed to the increased risk of CI. The association between the consumption of seafood, sweet beverages, and alcohol and CI is yet to be established. However, they may be dietary contributing factors to inflammation in patients undergoing HD.

Tea intake or consumption and the risk of dementia: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

PURPOSE

Dementia affects as many as 130 million people, which presents a significant and growing medical burden globally. This meta-analysis aims to assess whether tea intake, tea consumption can reduce the risk of dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Vascular dementia (VD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Cochrane Library, PubMed and Embase were searched for cohort studies from inception to November 1, 2022. The Newcastle Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS) was applied to evaluate the risk of bias of the included studies. We extracted the data as the relative risks (RRs) for the outcome of the interest, and conducted the meta-analysis utilizing the random effect model due to the certain heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis were performed by moving one study at a time, Subgroup-analysis was carried out according to different ages and dementia types. And the funnel plots based on Egger's and Begger's regression tests were used to evaluate publication bias. All statistical analyses were performed using Stata statistical software version 14.0 and R studio version 4.2.0.

RESULTS

Seven prospective cohort studies covering 410,951 individuals, which were published from 2009 and 2022 were included in this meta-analysis. The methodological quality of these studies was relatively with five out of seven being of high quality and the remaining being of moderate. The pooling analysis shows that the relationship between tea intake or consumption is associated with a reduced risk of all-cause dementia (RR = 0.71, 95% CI [0.57-0.88], I2 = 79.0%, p < 0.01). Further, the subgroup-analysis revealed that tea intake or consumption is associated with a reduced risk of AD (RR = 0.88, 95% CI [0.79-0.99], I2 = 52.6%, p = 0.024) and VD (RR = 0.75, 95% CI [0.66-0.85], I = 0.00%, p < 0.001). Lastly, tea intake or consumption could reduce the risk of all-cause dementia to a greater degree among populations with less physical activity, older age, APOE carriers, and smokers.

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis demonstrated that tea (green tea or black tea) intake or consumption is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of dementia, AD or VD. These findings provide evidence that tea intake or consumption should be recognized as an independent protective factor against the onset of dementia, AD or VD.

Association of the Mediterranean Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) Diet With the Risk of Dementia

Importance

Dementia threatens the well-being of older adults, making efforts toward prevention of great importance.

Objective

To evaluate the association of the Mediterranean-Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet with the risk of dementia in 3 prospective studies and a meta-analysis.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Cohort analyses included the Whitehall II study (WII), the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), and the Framingham Heart Study Offspring cohort (FOS), and the meta-analysis included 11 cohort studies. Participants were middle-aged and older women and men from WII in 2002 to 2004, HRS in 2013, and FOS in 1998 to 2001 without dementia at the study baseline. Data were analyzed from May 25 to September 1, 2022.

Exposures

MIND diet score was measured using food frequency questionnaires, and scores ranged from 0 to 15, with a higher score indicating higher adherence to the MIND diet.

Main Outcome and Measures

Incident all-cause dementia, with cohort-specific definitions.

Results

Included in this study were 8358 participants (mean [SD] age, 62.2 [6.0] years; 5777 male [69.1%]) from WII, 6758 participants (mean [SD] age, 66.5 [10.4] years; 3965 female [58.7%]) from HRS, and 3020 participants (mean [SD] age, 64.2 [9.1] years; 1648 female [54.6%]) from FOS. The mean (SD) baseline MIND diet score was 8.3 (1.4) in WII, 7.1 (1.9) in HRS, and 8.1 (1.6) in FOS. Over 166 516 person-years, a total of 775 participants (220 in WII, 338 in HRS, and 217 in FOS) developed incident dementia. In the multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard model, higher MIND diet score was associated with lower risk of dementia (pooled hazard ratio [HR] for every 3-point increment, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.72-0.95; P for trend = .01; I2 = 0%). The associations were consistently observed in subgroups defined by sex, age, smoking status, and body mass index. In the meta-analysis of 11 cohort studies with 224 049 participants (5279 incident dementia cases), the highest tertile of MIND diet score was associated with lower risk of dementia compared with the lowest tertile (pooled HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.76-0.90; I2 = 35%).

Conclusions and Relevance

Results suggest that adherence to the MIND diet was associated with lower risk of incident dementia in middle-aged and older adults. Further studies are warranted to develop and refine the specific MIND diet for different populations.

The Relationship between Beverages Consumption and Cognitive Impairment in Middle-Aged and Elderly Chinese Population

Some evidence shows that beverage consumption has an impact on cognitive performance. This is a follow-up study of dietary habits and cognitive function in the Chinese middle-aged and elderly population. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between beverage consumption and cognitive impairment. The source and grouping of the participants can be seen in the previous article, "Study of Diet Habits and Cognitive Function in the Chinese Middle-Aged and Elderly Population: The Association between Folic Acid, B Vitamins, Vitamin D, Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation and Cognitive Ability". Among 892 participants, one-third (296) completed both Amyloid beta(Aβ)-PET and plasma biomarkers. The results showed that the consumption of beverages (green tea, coffee, pure milk) was a protective factor for cognitive impairment, daily water consumption <1500 mL (especially <500 mL) was a risk factor for cognitive impairment, and the above correlated with baseline cognitive status. The relationship of green tea, coffee, and pure milk consumption with cognitive impairment was related to gender. We also found that among the participants with Aβ deposition, the consumption of pure milk and green tea was associated with low levels of p-Tau-181. In conclusion, the relationship between beverage consumption and cognitive impairment in Chinese middle-aged and elderly adults may be related to baseline cognitive status, gender, and Aβ deposition.

Analysis of ADORA2A rs5760423 and CYP1A2 rs762551 Genetic Variants in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

Various studies have been conducted, exploring the genetic susceptibility of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Adenosine receptor subtype A2a (ADORA2A) and cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) are implicated in pathways such as oxidative stress and caffeine metabolism, which are associated with AD. The aim of this study was to explore for any potential association between the ADORA2A rs5760423 and the CYP1A2 rs762551 genetic variants and AD. A case-control study was performed with a total of 654 subjects (327 healthy controls and 327 patients with AD). Five genetic models were assumed. We also examined the allele-allele combination of both variants. The value of 0.05 was considered as the statistical significance threshold. A statistically significant association was found between ADORA2A rs5760423 and AD, as the "T" allele was associated with increased AD risk in recessive (OR = 1.51 (1.03-2.21)) and log-additive (OR = 1.30 (1.04-1.62)) genetic modes. In the codominant model, the TT genotype was more prevalent compared to the GG genotype (OR = 1.71 (1.09-2.66)). The statistical significance was maintained after adjustment for sex. No association between CYP1A2 rs762551 or allele-allele combination and AD was detected. We provide preliminary indication for a possible association between the ADORA2A rs5760423 genetic polymorphism and AD.

Recent Progress in Research on Mechanisms of Action of Natural Products against Alzheimer's Disease: Dietary Plant Polyphenols

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an incurable degenerative disease of the central nervous system and the most common type of dementia in the elderly. Despite years of extensive research efforts, our understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of AD is still highly limited. Nevertheless, several hypotheses related to risk factors for AD have been proposed. Moreover, plant-derived dietary polyphenols were also shown to exert protective effects against neurodegenerative diseases such as AD. In this review, we summarize the regulatory effects of the most well-known plant-derived dietary polyphenols on several AD-related molecular mechanisms, such as amelioration of oxidative stress injury, inhibition of aberrant glial cell activation to alleviate neuroinflammation, inhibition of the generation and promotion of the clearance of toxic amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, inhibition of cholinesterase enzyme activity, and increase in acetylcholine levels in the brain. We also discuss the issue of bioavailability and the potential for improvement in this regard. This review is expected to encourage further research on the role of natural dietary plant polyphenols in the treatment of AD.

Caffeine Consumption and Dementia: Are Lewy Bodies the Link?

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to examine the association between caffeine intake and cognitive impairment. Caffeine-neuropathology correlations and interactions with lifestyle and genetic factors impacting caffeine metabolism and response were also tested.

METHODS

We included 888 participants aged 59+ years from the Rush Memory and Aging Project (MAP) and 303,887 participants aged 55+ years from the UK Biobank (UKB). MAP participants took part in annual cognitive testing. Diagnosis of dementia was based on clinical neurological examination and standardized criteria. A subset provided postmortem tissue for neuropathologic evaluation for common age-related diseases (eg, Alzheimer's disease [AD], Lewy bodies, and vascular). For UKB, dementia was determined by linked hospital and death records. Self-reported caffeine intake was estimated using food-frequency questionnaires in both cohorts. Cox proportional hazard ratio (HR), regression, and mixed models were used to examine associations of caffeine intake with incident dementia, cognitive decline, and neuropathology.

RESULTS

In MAP, compared to ≤100 mg/day, caffeine intake >100 mg/day was associated with a significantly higher HR (95% confidence interval [CI]) of all-cause (HR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.03-1.76) and AD (HR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.07-1.85) dementia. Caffeine intake was not associated with cognitive decline. In UKB, compared to ≤100 mg/day, the HRs (95% CI) of all-cause dementia for consuming 100 ≤ 200, 200 ≤ 300, 300 ≤ 400, and > 400 mg/day were 0.83 (95% CI = 0.72-0.94), 0.74 (95% CI = 0.64-0.85), 0.74 (95% CI = 0.64-0.85), and 0.92 (95% CI = 0.79-1.08), respectively. Similar results were observed for Alzheimer's dementia. In MAP, caffeine intake was inversely associated with postmortem Lewy bodies but no other age-related pathologies. Caffeine intake >100 mg/day was associated with lower neocortical type Lewy bodies (odds ratio (95%CI): 0.40 (95% CI = 0.21-0.75).

INTERPRETATION

Caffeine intake was inconsistently associated with clinical dementia; potentially explained by cohort differences in underlying dementia etiology. Lewy bodies may link caffeine to lower risk in some persons. ANN NEUROL 2022;91:834-846.

Tea consumption and risk of incident dementia: A prospective cohort study of 377 592 UK Biobank participants

As a widely consumed beverage, tea boasts diverse health benefits. Herein, we aimed to investigate the association between tea consumption and dementia risk. We conducted a prospective cohort study with 377 592 UK Biobank participants during a 9-year follow-up. Cox regression models adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, Townsend deprivation index, education, body mass index, lifestyle factors, dietary factors and apolipoprotein E4 status were used to examine the association of tea consumption with dementia risk. Subgroup analyses stratified by age, sex and forms of dementia (Alzheimer's disease [AD] and vascular dementia [VD]) were performed. Moreover, the restricted cubic splines were used to calculate the nonlinear relationship between daily dosage of tea and dementia risk. After adjustment for all covariates, tea drinkers were 16% (95% confidence interval: 8-23) less likely to develop dementia compared with non-drinkers. Moderate consumption (1-6 cups/day) of tea exerted significant protective effects. Subgroup analyses showed that mid-aged participants or males benefited more from tea consumption. Moreover, moderate drinkers had a 16-19% lower hazard of AD and a 25-29% lower hazard of VD. Furthermore, a U-shaped association between tea consumption and dementia risk was shown (P_{non-linearity} = 7E^-04), and the consumption of around three cups per day showed the strongest protective effect. Within 3 cups/day, drinking one extra cup of tea per day brought a 6% reduction of incidence. In conclusion, moderate consumption of tea was significantly associated with a reduced risk of dementia, suggesting that tea consumption could be a modifiable lifestyle factor for dementia.

Association Between Tea Drinking and Cognitive Disorders in Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Introduction

Previous research has shown that tea drinking has a bearing on Cognitive Disorders, but the conclusions are inconsistent. The purpose of this research was to systematically assess the published evidence pertaining to tea drinking and the risk of cognitive disorders in older adults using a meta-analysis, and to concurrently evaluate the dose-response association.

Design

A meta-analysis.

Setting and Participants

We used the PubMed and Web of Science databases for a literature search until 30 May 2021. We initially retrieved 20,908 studies (14,884 from PubMed and 6,024 from the Web of Science), Thirty-six studies met the inclusion criteria (7 case-control, 16 cohort, and 13 cross-sectional studies), involved 224,980 participants.

Methods

Pooled odd ratios (ORs) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the strength of the association under a fixed- or random-effect model according to heterogeneity test results.

Results

The results showed that drinking tea was negatively associated with cognitive disorders (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.70–0.82). Moreover, dose-response associations were found between tea drinking and cognitive disorders (1 time/day: OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.70–0.95; 1 cup/day: OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.78–0.94). In addition, subgroup analyses were performed according to study designs, study population, types of tea drinking, outcomes and methods used to assess outcomes. Most of the results in the subgroup analyses were consistent with the main results.

Conclusion

The results of the present study provided abundant evidence that tea drinking is inversely proportional with the occurrence of cognitive disorders in older adults. A linear dose-response association between tea drinking and decreased prevalence of cognitive disorders was found.

Is There a Novel Biosynthetic Pathway in Mice That Converts Alcohol to Dopamine, Norepinephrine and Epinephrine?

Previous studies in animals and humans have shown multiple types of interaction between alcohol (ethanol) intake and the catecholamine signaling molecules: dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. This literature suggests that the administration of alcohol to rodents affects the central and peripheral (blood plasma) levels of these catecholamines. Two prior publications (Fitzgerald 2012, 2020) put forth the hypothesis that there may be a currently unidentified biosynthetic pathway, in a range of organisms, that actually converts alcohol to dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. This publication describes the details for how to test this hypothesis in mice. Mice can be systemically injected with an intoxicating dose of commercially available stable isotope-labeled ethanol (ethanol-1-¹³C), and blood plasma samples and brains can be collected approximately two to 24 h post-injection. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis can then be used to test whether some of the labeled ethanol molecules have been incorporated into new dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine molecules, in plasma and brain samples. If confirmed, this hypothesis may have broadly reaching implications both for basic neuroscience and our understanding of alcohol abuse and alcoholism.

Small Vessel Disease: Ancient Description, Novel Biomarkers

Small vessel disease (SVD) is one of the most frequent pathological conditions which lead to dementia. Biochemical and neuroimaging might help correctly identify the clinical diagnosis of this relevant brain disease. The microvascular alterations which underlie SVD have common origins, similar cognitive outcomes, and common vascular risk factors. Nevertheless, the arteriolosclerosis process, which underlines SVD development, is based on different mechanisms, not all completely understood, which start from a chronic hypoperfusion state and pass through a chronic brain inflammatory condition, inducing a significant endothelium activation and a consequent tissue remodeling action. In a recent review, we focused on the pathophysiology of SVD, which is complex, involving genetic conditions and different co-morbidities (i.e., diabetes, chronic hypoxia condition, and obesity). Currently, many points still remain unclear and discordant. In this paper, we wanted to focus on new biomarkers, which can be the expression of the endothelial dysfunction, or of the oxidative damage, which could be employed as markers of disease progression or for future targets of therapies. Therefore, we described the altered response to the endothelium-derived nitric oxide-vasodilators (ENOV), prostacyclin, C-reactive proteins, and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors (EDHF). At the same time, due to the concomitant endothelial activation and chronic neuroinflammatory status, we described hypoxia-endothelial-related markers, such as HIF 1 alpha, VEGFR2, and neuroglobin, and MMPs. We also described blood-brain barrier disruption biomarkers and imaging techniques, which can also describe perivascular spaces enlargement and dysfunction. More studies should be necessary, in order to implement these results and give them a clinical benefit.

Association of Alcohol Types, Coffee, and Tea Intake with Risk of Dementia: Prospective Cohort Study of UK Biobank Participants

The prevalence of dementia is increasing globally and is linked to obesity and unfavorable dietary habits. The present study analyses the association of alcohol intake from wine and non-wine alcoholic beverages (non-wine) in g/d, as well as coffee and tea in cups/d, with incident dementia. Over 4.2 million person-years, 4270 dementia cases occurred in 351,436 UK Biobank participants. Hazard ratios (HRs) for incident dementia were defined with Cox proportional hazard regression models in which beverage intake was fitted as penalized cubic splines. Wine intake showed a significant U-shaped association with the lowest risk for incident dementia (nadir) ranging from 21 to 23 g alcohol/d in all participants and in males. In contrast, non-wine consumption was significantly and dose-dependently associated with incident dementia, and the nadir was found at 0 g alcohol/d. Coffee consumption was not related to dementia risk, while moderate-to-high tea intake was negatively associated with incident dementia. Taken together, the current study shows on a population level that moderate consumption of wine and moderate-to-high tea intake is associated with a decreased risk of incident dementia. In contrast, non-wine is positively related to dementia risk in a linear fashion, and no clear association is found for coffee.

Phenolic Acids and Prevention of Cognitive Decline: Polyphenols with a Neuroprotective Role in Cognitive Disorders and Alzheimer's Disease

Cognitive impairment, also known as cognitive decline, can occur gradually or suddenly and can be temporary or more permanent. It represents an increasingly important public health problem and can depend on normal aging or be linked to different neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). It is now well-established that lifestyle factors including dietary patterns play an important role in healthy aging as well as in the prevention of cognitive decline in later life. Among the natural compounds, dietary polyphenols including phenolic acids have been recently the focus of major attention, with their supplementation being associated with better cognitive status and prevention of cognitive decline. Despite their therapeutic potential, human studies investigating the relation between phenolic acids intake and cognitive outcomes are rather scarce. In this review, we provide preclinical evidence that different dietary polyphenols such as rosmarinic acid, ellagic acid, and cinnamic aldehyde can exert neuroprotective and pro-cognitive activities through different molecular mechanisms including the modulation of pro-oxidant and antioxidant machinery as well as inflammatory status. Future and more numerous in vivo studies are needed to strengthen the promising results obtained at the preclinical level. Despite the excellent pharmacokinetic properties of phenolic acids, which are able to be accumulated in the brain at pharmacologically relevant levels, future studies should also identify which among the different metabolites produced as a consequence of phenolic acids' consumption may be responsible for the potential neuroprotective effects of this subgroup of polyphenols.

Phenolic Acids and Prevention of Cognitive Decline: Polyphenols with a Neuroprotective Role in Cognitive Disorders and Alzheimer's Disease

Cognitive impairment, also known as cognitive decline, can occur gradually or suddenly and can be temporary or more permanent. It represents an increasingly important public health problem and can depend on normal aging or be linked to different neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). It is now well-established that lifestyle factors including dietary patterns play an important role in healthy aging as well as in the prevention of cognitive decline in later life. Among the natural compounds, dietary polyphenols including phenolic acids have been recently the focus of major attention, with their supplementation being associated with better cognitive status and prevention of cognitive decline. Despite their therapeutic potential, human studies investigating the relation between phenolic acids intake and cognitive outcomes are rather scarce. In this review, we provide preclinical evidence that different dietary polyphenols such as rosmarinic acid, ellagic acid, and cinnamic aldehyde can exert neuroprotective and pro-cognitive activities through different molecular mechanisms including the modulation of pro-oxidant and antioxidant machinery as well as inflammatory status. Future and more numerous in vivo studies are needed to strengthen the promising results obtained at the preclinical level. Despite the excellent pharmacokinetic properties of phenolic acids, which are able to be accumulated in the brain at pharmacologically relevant levels, future studies should also identify which among the different metabolites produced as a consequence of phenolic acids' consumption may be responsible for the potential neuroprotective effects of this subgroup of polyphenols.

Prevalence of Dementia in China in 2015: A Nationwide Community-Based Study

Objective: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) and associated risk factors among the general Chinese population.

Methods: We carried out a nationwide study including 24,117 participants aged 60 years and older in China using a multistage clustered sampling. Dementia and AD were diagnosed according to the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and the criteria issued by the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke–Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association. Face-to-face interviews were administered by the trained interviewers to obtain information on demographics, lifestyle factors, and previous diseases.

Results: The overall weighted prevalence of dementia was 4.22% (95%CI 2.27–6.17%) for people aged 60 years and older, was higher in women than in men and increased with age. Daily tea drinking and daily exercises were the protective factors for both dementia and AD. Engaging in social and intellectual activities was significantly associated with a lower risk of dementia and AD.

Conclusions: A large number of population with dementia posed a significant challenge to China where the population is rapidly aging. The increase of public awareness, building more care facilities, and training dementia specialists and professional caregivers are all urgently needed and should be the future priorities of dementia care in China.

Alterations in Glycerolipid and Fatty Acid Metabolic Pathways in Alzheimer's Disease Identified by Urinary Metabolic Profiling: A Pilot Study

An easily accessible and non-invasive biomarker for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is needed. Evidence suggests that metabolic dysfunction underlies the pathophysiology of AD. While urine is a non-invasively collectable biofluid and a good source for metabolomics analysis, it is not yet widely used for this purpose. This small-scale pilot study aimed to examine whether the metabolic profile of urine from AD patients reflects the metabolic dysfunction reported to underlie AD pathology, and to identify metabolites that could distinguish AD patients from cognitively healthy controls. Spot urine of 18 AD patients (AD group) and 18 age- and sex-matched, cognitively normal controls (control group) were analyzed by mass spectrometry (MS). Capillary electrophoresis time-of-flight MS and liquid chromatography–Fourier transform MS were used to cover a larger range of molecules with ionic as well as lipid characteristics. A total of 304 ionic molecules and 81 lipid compounds of 12 lipid classes were identified. Of these, 26 molecules showed significantly different relative concentrations between the AD and control groups (Wilcoxon's rank-sum test). Moreover, orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis revealed significant discrimination between the two groups. Pathway searches using the KEGG database, and pathway enrichment and topology analysis using Metaboanalyst software, suggested alterations in molecules relevant to pathways of glycerolipid and glycerophospholipid metabolism, thermogenesis, and caffeine metabolism in AD patients. Further studies of urinary metabolites will contribute to the early detection of AD and understanding of its pathogenesis.

Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Other Lifestyle Factors in the Prevention of Cognitive Decline and Dementia

Multiple factors combined are currently recognized as contributors to cognitive decline. The main independent risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia is advanced age followed by other determinants such as genetic, socioeconomic, and environmental factors, including nutrition and physical activity. In the next decades, a rise in dementia cases is expected due largely to the aging of the world population. There are no hitherto effective pharmaceutical therapies to treat age-associated cognitive impairment and dementia, which underscores the crucial role of prevention. A relationship among diet, physical activity, and other lifestyle factors with cognitive function has been intensively studied with mounting evidence supporting the role of these determinants in the development of cognitive decline and dementia, which is a chief cause of disability globally. Several dietary patterns, foods, and nutrients have been investigated in this regard, with some encouraging and other disappointing results. This review presents the current evidence for the effects of dietary patterns, dietary components, some supplements, physical activity, sleep patterns, and social engagement on the prevention or delay of the onset of age-related cognitive decline and dementia.

Habitual Tea and Coffee Consumption and Mean Reaction Time Among Qatari Adults

BACKGROUND

Tea and coffee consumption is associated with cognitive function in some studies.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to identify tea and coffee drinking patterns and their association with mean reaction time among Qatari adults.

METHOD

The study included 1,000 adults aged 20 years and above attending the Qatar Biobank Study (QBB). Habitual tea and coffee consumption during the previous year was assessed by questionnaire. Tea and coffee drinking patterns were identified using factor analysis. In a computer-based self-administered touch screens test, mean reaction time (MRT) was used as an indicator of cognitive function.

RESULTS

The mean age of the participants was 35.8 (SD 10.3) years. Herbal tea and regular coffee consumption was inversely associated with MRT. In the multivariable model, compared with non-consumers, the regression coefficients for MRT were -34.3 (-65.4, -3.3) and -37.9 (-71.0, -4.7) for daily consumers of herbal tea and regular coffee, respectively. Of the two tea and coffee drinking patterns identified, pattern 1 (high consumption of tea, Arabic coffee, and herbal tea) was not associated with MRT but pattern 2 (high loadings of instant coffee, regular coffee, and Karak) was inversely associated with MRT in the unadjusted model. There was a significant interaction between pattern 2 and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in relation to MRT. Pattern 2 was inversely associated with MRT among those with a low LDL.

CONCLUSION

There was an inverse association between regular coffee and herbal tea consumption with mean reaction time. There was an interaction between Western coffee pattern and LDL.

Green Tea Suppresses Brain Aging

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that the intake of green tea is effective in reducing the risk of dementia. The most important component of green tea is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Both EGCG and epigallocatechin (EGC) have been suggested to cross the blood–brain barrier to reach the brain parenchyma, but EGCG has been found to be more effective than EGC in promoting neuronal differentiation. It has also been suggested that the products of EGCG decomposition by the intestinal microbiota promote the differentiation of nerve cells and that both EGCG and its degradation products act on nerve cells with a time lag. On the other hand, the free amino acids theanine and arginine contained in green tea have stress-reducing effects. While long-term stress accelerates the aging of the brain, theanine and arginine suppress the aging of the brain due to their anti-stress effect. Since this effect is counteracted by EGCG and caffeine, the ratios between these green tea components are important for the anti-stress action. In this review, we describe how green tea suppresses brain aging, through the activation of nerve cells by both EGCG and its degradation products, and the reductions in stress achieved by theanine and arginine.

Green coffee: economic relevance and a systematic review of the effects on human health

Coffee is probably the most popular beverage after water and is an important component in diet and health since its consumption is high worldwide. Globally, it is the most relevant food commodity being just behind crude oil. Besides its pleasant flavor, it is an antioxidant source due to polyphenols, which are protective compounds against several diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the economic relevance and perform a systematic review of green coffee's effects on human health. Databases such as MEDLINE-PubMed, EMBASE, COCHRANE, and GOOGLE SCHOLAR were searched, and PRISMA guidelines were followed. Green coffee is considered a novel food product because consumers usually consume only roasted coffee. It can be marketed as such or as an extract. Due to the content of bioactive compounds, which are partially lost during the roasting process, the extracts are usually marketed concerning the potential regarding health effects. Green coffee can be used as dietary supplements, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, as a source of antioxidants. It can benefit human health, such as improvement in blood pressure, plasma lipids, and body weight (thus contributing to the improvement of risk components of Metabolic Syndrome). Moreover, benefits for cognitive functions may also be included.