Identification of dietary modulators of cognitive aging & brain plasticity and proof of concept of efficacy for preventing/reversing cognitive decline
Description: Understanding how diet modifies cognitive ageing represents the next frontiers for developing prevention strategies. A key may rely on elucidating the exact combination of nutrient capable of modulating cognitive decline via the ability of the brain to be plastic and produce new nerve cells and connections. Another important question is the particular population(s) in which such nutritional intervention should be undertaken. We think that a combination of nutients capable of modulating cognition and brain plasticity exists, and that the influence of diet on the brain starts in early in life and occurs throughout life and that we should consider exposure to stress/genetic predisposition as vulnerability factors. We propose a project across the field of nutrition, epidemiology, and neuroscience using human data/serum samples and mouse models and employing innovative approaches assessing dietary exposure, the ability of the brain to make new neurons and modelling cognitive ageing.
On completion of this project we will have (i) identified and validated an optimum combination of dietary compounds providing protective effect against cognitive ageing and brain plasticity alteration, (ii) identified vulnerable populations responding to the impact of diet on cognitive decline, (iii) provided evidence of brain plasticity as targets of choice for nutrients intervention to prevent/slowdown cognitive decline and (iv) provided a proof-of-principle life-long dietary intervention for preventing/rescuing cognitive decline. It is expected that the nutrients identified and validated will lead to dietary interventions and recommendations for cognitive decline prevention.
Funder: Medical Research Council
Amount: £169,400
Funding type: research
Start date: 2016-05-31
End date: 2020-06-29
Funded outputs count: 30
Funder award ID: MR/N030087/1
OpenAlex ID: G1699298472