Approved research

Genetic factors as a biological link between food intake and cognition

Lay summary

Dietary factors and food intake play an important role in cognitive development and cognitive decline across the lifespan, and development of neurodegenerative diseases. In our research project we plan to investigate the relation between dietary factors, particularly food intake and dietary patterns, and the development, maintenance, and decline of cognition across the lifespan, and elucidate the mechanisms underlying the relation between dietary factors and cognition. The researchers associated with this proposal are specifically interested in the role of genetic factors and their interaction with dietary exposures as well as physical activity on phenotypic outcomes related to cognitive function. The optimal development of cognitive health in early life, the maintenance of cognitive health throughout life, and the prevention of cognitive decline in later life are growing public health concerns. In particular, a greater understanding of how diet exerts its effects on cognition is important for public health interventions. Our project will contribute to health-related research in the public interest by investigating the association between food intake and cognitive outcome and the role of genetic factors that underlie the relationship between diet and cognition. In our study we will apply different approaches on the epidemiological level as well as on a genetic level to analyze the existing data. Using generalized linear regression models and gene-environment interaction analyses, we will investigate the interactions between genetic variables and the dietary/lifestyle (physical activity) factors on cognitive function. In this study we would like to use genetic data as well as data collected on cognitive function, dietary assesment and lifestyle factors (physical activity) as well as anthropometric characteristics from the full cohort.