Relationships between dietary balance and Alzheimer’s disease
Published 22 October 2009
Prof Gandy and colleagues compared the effect of four diets on brains in mice that are genetically altered to develop changes in their brain like Alzheimer's disease in people.
Surprisingly, a combination of high protein, low carbohydrate, standard fat diet resulted in smaller brain sizes. However, as there were no normal control mice included in the study, it is difficult to interpret these results as the same might or might not happen in normal mice. A high fat diet seemed to change the amount of an intermediary compound in the process that leads to amyloid plaques.
'This study is very interesting but without a control group it is hard to tell if these changes would not have occurred anyway. Further investigation is now needed to better understand whether the way we balance our diet can increase or reduce our vulnerability to Alzheimer's disease.
'It is important to eat a diet rich in fruit, vegetables and fish. People who want to reduce their risk of dementia should also take regular exercise, refrain from smoking and get their blood pressure and cholesterol checked.'
Dr Susanne Sorensen
Head of Research
Alzheimer's Society
Ref: Dietary composition modulates brain mass and amyloid beta levels in a mouse model of aggressive Alzheimer's amyloid pathology Steve Pedrini, Carlos Thomas, Hannah Brautigam, James Schmeidler, Lap Ho, Paul Fraser, David Westaway, Peter Hyslop, Ralph Martins, Joseph Buxbaum, Giulio Pasinetti, Dara Dickstein, Patrick Hof, Michelle Ehrlich and Sam Gandy Molecular Neurodegeneration (in press). Article.
Ends
Notes to editors
- One in three people over 65 will die with dementia
- Alzheimer's Society research shows that 700,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In less than 20 years nearly a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051.
- Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them.
- Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
- Alzheimer's Society needs to raise money to help people live well with
dementia today and for research to find a cure for tomorrow. You can
donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting alzheimers.org.uk
- Alzheimer's Society provides a National Dementia Helpline, the number is 0845 300 0336 or visit alzheimers.org.uk
