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The Impact of Nutrition on Cognitive Function: Its Role in Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 February 2025) | Viewed by 4755

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Daria Peleg-Raibstein

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zürich, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Neuroscience, Schorenstrasse 16, 8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
Interests: eating disorders; maternal overnutrition; psychiatric disorders; addiction; stress; nutrition; cognitive function; aging
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The relationship between nutrition and cognitive health has been a significant research focus. Nutrition, whether adequate or excessive, during adulthood or early developmental stages (prenatal or postnatal), plays a pivotal role in shaping cognitive abilities and resilience. Overnutrition, often manifesting as obesity, has been linked to a heightened risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's. Excess intake of saturated fats and sugars, commonly seen in Western diets, has been associated with poor cognitive performance and faster cognitive decline. Conversely, malnutrition during critical developmental windows can lead to long-lasting cognitive impairments. Prenatal and early postnatal nutrition are particularly vital, as deficiencies or excesses during these periods can influence neural development, synaptic plasticity and brain structure, thereby predisposing individuals to cognitive deficits and an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases later in life. In summary, nutrition has a profound impact on cognitive health, and imbalances, either as deficiencies or excesses, can expedite cognitive aging and elevate the risk of neurodegenerative conditions.

Dr. Daria Peleg-Raibstein
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • aging
  • cognition
  • neurodegenerative disorders
  • nutrition
  • overnutrition
  • prenatal
  • postnatal
  • maternal diet

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 1049 KiB  
Article
Programming the Brain: How Maternal Overnutrition Shapes Cognitive Aging in Offspring
by Pratheba Kandasamey and Daria Peleg-Raibstein
Nutrients 2025, 17(6), 988; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17060988 - 12 Mar 2025
Viewed by 721
Abstract
Background: Maternal overnutrition critically influences offspring’s long-term metabolic and cognitive health. While prior research indicates maternal diet can disrupt hippocampal function, the specific impact on spatial memory remains unclear. Methods: Female mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for nine weeks before and [...] Read more.
Background: Maternal overnutrition critically influences offspring’s long-term metabolic and cognitive health. While prior research indicates maternal diet can disrupt hippocampal function, the specific impact on spatial memory remains unclear. Methods: Female mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for nine weeks before and during pregnancy. Offspring were weaned onto a standard diet and tested at postnatal day 90 using the dry maze, a spatial reference memory task. Results: HFD-exposed offspring exhibited significant learning acquisition impairments, with prolonged latencies in locating hidden rewards and diminished within-session improvements compared to controls. During the probe trial, they spent significantly less time in the target quadrant, indicating long-term spatial memory retention deficits. Notably, these cognitive impairments occurred independently of body weight differences at testing. Discussion: This study uniquely demonstrates that maternal HFD exposure induces specific spatial memory deficits in adult offspring, potentially through neurodevelopmental alterations preceding metabolic dysfunction. The results highlight the importance of prenatal nutrition in shaping cognitive outcomes later in life. Conclusions: These findings extend our understanding of how prenatal nutrition impacts cognitive aging and disease susceptibility. Given rising obesity rates among women of reproductive age, this research underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to mitigate the intergenerational effects of maternal overnutrition on brain function. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Nutrition on Cognitive Function: Its Role in Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases)
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14 pages, 6750 KiB  
Article
Effects of Pterostilbene on the Cell Division Cycle of a Neuroblastoma Cell Line
by Francesca Bruno, Flores Naselli, Desiree Brancato, Sara Volpes, Paola Sofia Cardinale, Salvatore Saccone, Concetta Federico and Fabio Caradonna
Nutrients 2024, 16(23), 4152; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16234152 - 29 Nov 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 963
Abstract
Background. The “Cell Cycle Hypothesis” suggests that the abnormal re-entry of neurons into the cell division cycle leads to neurodegeneration, a mechanism supported by in vitro studies on neuronal-like cells treated with the hyperphosphorylating agent forskolin. Pterostilbene, a bioavailable compound found in foods [...] Read more.
Background. The “Cell Cycle Hypothesis” suggests that the abnormal re-entry of neurons into the cell division cycle leads to neurodegeneration, a mechanism supported by in vitro studies on neuronal-like cells treated with the hyperphosphorylating agent forskolin. Pterostilbene, a bioavailable compound found in foods such as blueberries and grapes, may exert neuroprotective effects and could serve as a potential adjunct therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. Methods. In this study, we investigated the effects of pterostilbene on neuronal-like cells derived from the human neuroblastoma SK-N-BE cell line, where cell cycle reactivation was induced by forskolin treatment. We analyzed molecular endpoints associated with differentiated versus replicative cell states, specifically the following: (a) the expression of cyclin CCND1, (b) the Ki67 cell proliferation marker, (c) the AT8 nuclear tau epitope, and (d) genome-wide DNA methylation changes. Results. Our findings indicate that pterostilbene exerts distinct effects on the cell division cycle depending on the cellular state, with neuroprotective benefits observed in differentiated neuronal-like cells, but not in cells undergoing induced division. Additionally, pterostilbene alters DNA methylation patterns. Conclusion. These results suggest that pterostilbene may offer neuroprotective advantages for differentiated neuronal-like cells. However, further studies are required to confirm these effects in vivo by examining specific biomarkers in human populations consuming pterostilbene-containing foods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Nutrition on Cognitive Function: Its Role in Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases)
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19 pages, 768 KiB  
Article
Unlocking Cognitive Potential: Association of Sarcopenia and Mediterranean Diet on Cognitive Function in Community-Dwelling Elderly of the Dalmatian Region
by Julija Jelaska, Marijana Vučković, Ivana Gugić Ordulj, Ela Kolak, Lucija Šolić Šegvić, Zdravka Đapić Kolak, Irena Keser and Josipa Radić
Nutrients 2024, 16(7), 991; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16070991 - 28 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1890
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the association between muscle strength, adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MeDi) and cognitive function in community-dwelling elderly. General data, data of body composition and anthropometric parameters, clinical and laboratory findings, cognitive test questionnaires (Mini-Mental State [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to determine the association between muscle strength, adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MeDi) and cognitive function in community-dwelling elderly. General data, data of body composition and anthropometric parameters, clinical and laboratory findings, cognitive test questionnaires (Mini-Mental State Examination—MMSE, Trail Making Test—TMT, Symbol Digit Modalities Test—SDMT), and nutritional assessments (Mini Nutritional Assessment—MNA, Mediterranean Diet Serving Score—MDSS) were obtained for each study participant. Handgrip strength (HS) was used as one of the key parameters for defining probable sarcopenia, among the Short Physical Performance Battery test (SPPB) (for defining physical activity) and the strength, assistance with walking, rising from a chair, climbing stairs, and falls questionnaire (SARC-F). Our cross-sectional study involved 114 participants aged ≥ 60 years, and two-thirds of the participants were female (76.3% vs. 23.7%). Probable sarcopenia was found in 34.7% of them. Using bivariate regression analysis, cognitive deficit among the sarcopenic population was associated with the following groups of collected data: (a) sociodemographic-associated factors—advanced age (OR: 1.07; p = 0.004), single marital status (OR: 3.25; p = 0.03), and low level of education (OR: 0.22; p < 0.003); (b) behavioral-associated factors—duration of institutionalization (OR: 1.05; p = 0.007), performance of heavy physical work (OR: 6.26; p = 0.001), low physical activity (OR: 0.08; p = 0.002), and risk of malnutrition (OR: 3.87; p = 0.005); (c) disease-related factors—loss of appetite (OR: 2.24; p = 0.04), information processing speed (OR: 0.88; p < 0.001), blood pressure systolic/diastolic variables (OR: 0.96/0.96; p = 0.002/0.02), medications (OR: 1.19; p = 0.005), predictive sarcopenia score ≥ 4 (OR: 3.1; p = 0.003), and low muscle strength (OR: 0.92; p = 0.002). Cognitive preservation among the sarcopenic population was associated with married status (OR: 0.23; p = 0.20), a high level of education (OR: 0.18; p = 0.002), smoking (OR: 0.33; p = 0.02), high physical activity (OR: 0.07; p < 0.001), and dietary habits using poultry (OR: 0.12; p = 0.004). The results suggest a significant association between sarcopenia and cognitive function in community-dwelling elderly, highlighting the need for regular nutritional interventions in this special population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Nutrition on Cognitive Function: Its Role in Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases)
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