Objective Dementia and cognitive impairment are a major public health problem. Since no effective therapies are currently available, intervention addressing modifiable risk factors, which could prevent or delay their occurrence, is an urgent need. The main goal of the NutBrain Study is to explore the role of diet, in modulating the gut microbiota composition, which in turn impacts on cognitive function and brain characteristics in elderly. Materials This is an ongoing Italian population-based study of older adults aged 65 years or more living in the outskirt of Milan. The Medical Ethics Committee of Pavia area has approved the study protocol and all participants give written informed consent. Methods The study is structured in two phases. In phase I, participants are screened for global cognitive function and single domains using a specific neuropsychological battery of tests to detect cases of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Socio-demographic characteristics along with lifestyles and dietary habits, diseases, medication, and anthropometry are recorded. In phase II, individuals scoring low at the cognitive screening undergo a Hospital visit including a neurological examination and a multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) protocol to confirm the diagnosis. Stool and blood samples are collected and processed for the gut microbiota analysis and for the evaluation of putative biological markers. For each subject diagnosed with MCI, a cognitively intact control matched for sex and age is enrolled. Results Participants inclusion started in April 2019 and the first 250 individuals have already completed the initial screening evaluation. The individuals were, on average, 74.5±6.4 years old, 64% of the sample were female, 65% were married, and more than half attended elementary or middle school. Most of them were never smokers (58.8%) and about 20% of the population was considered to be at risk of malnutrition. Dietary data are in processing. The 54% of the study sample had hypertension, the 37.6% had dyslipidaemia, about one third had tumours and symptoms associated with depression. The mean MMSE in the total sample was 26.8±2.1. Overall the 20% of the participants were classified as MCI. Discussion The NutBrain Study represents an opportunity to understand the biological processes underlying the relationship between dietary habits, gut microbiota, and markers of brain aging. Conclusions The results of this study will help to encourage and plan lifestyle interventions, for both prevention and treatment, of cognitive disorders and counteract brain aging. Ministero della Salute supports the NutBrain Study (Bando di Ricerca Finalizzata, GR-2016-02361730).
Exploring the complex relationship between Nutrition, gUT microbiota, and Brain AgINg: the NutBrain Study
Jesuthasan N;Severgnini M;Adorni F;Prinelli F
2019
Abstract
Objective Dementia and cognitive impairment are a major public health problem. Since no effective therapies are currently available, intervention addressing modifiable risk factors, which could prevent or delay their occurrence, is an urgent need. The main goal of the NutBrain Study is to explore the role of diet, in modulating the gut microbiota composition, which in turn impacts on cognitive function and brain characteristics in elderly. Materials This is an ongoing Italian population-based study of older adults aged 65 years or more living in the outskirt of Milan. The Medical Ethics Committee of Pavia area has approved the study protocol and all participants give written informed consent. Methods The study is structured in two phases. In phase I, participants are screened for global cognitive function and single domains using a specific neuropsychological battery of tests to detect cases of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Socio-demographic characteristics along with lifestyles and dietary habits, diseases, medication, and anthropometry are recorded. In phase II, individuals scoring low at the cognitive screening undergo a Hospital visit including a neurological examination and a multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) protocol to confirm the diagnosis. Stool and blood samples are collected and processed for the gut microbiota analysis and for the evaluation of putative biological markers. For each subject diagnosed with MCI, a cognitively intact control matched for sex and age is enrolled. Results Participants inclusion started in April 2019 and the first 250 individuals have already completed the initial screening evaluation. The individuals were, on average, 74.5±6.4 years old, 64% of the sample were female, 65% were married, and more than half attended elementary or middle school. Most of them were never smokers (58.8%) and about 20% of the population was considered to be at risk of malnutrition. Dietary data are in processing. The 54% of the study sample had hypertension, the 37.6% had dyslipidaemia, about one third had tumours and symptoms associated with depression. The mean MMSE in the total sample was 26.8±2.1. Overall the 20% of the participants were classified as MCI. Discussion The NutBrain Study represents an opportunity to understand the biological processes underlying the relationship between dietary habits, gut microbiota, and markers of brain aging. Conclusions The results of this study will help to encourage and plan lifestyle interventions, for both prevention and treatment, of cognitive disorders and counteract brain aging. Ministero della Salute supports the NutBrain Study (Bando di Ricerca Finalizzata, GR-2016-02361730).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
