Characterization of a metabolomics signature of the brain-health-promoting MIND diet in older persons

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The MIND diet supports healthy cognitive aging. Yet, a challenge remains to identify individuals who do not adhere to the MIND and could be at risk for accelerated cognitive decline. A multi-metabolite biomarker panel could facilitate population screening. OBJECTIVES: To determine and validate a blood metabolomics signature of MIND adherence in a large cohort of older adults, and to estimate its association with subsequent cognitive decline. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Participants were older adults (≥65 years) from the population-based three-City (3C) cohort, free of dementia at study baseline and followed for up to 12 years for cognition, who were included in two case-control samples on cognitive decline nested within two centers (Bordeaux and Dijon cities, n = 838). EXPOSURES: 155 diet-related serum metabolites measured with a multianalyte metabolomics platform. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was adherence to the MIND diet, assessed in a subsample of 344 participants from Bordeaux center (which underwent the dietary surveys, 24 h recall and food-frequency questionnaire). A metabolomics signature of MIND diet adherence was characterized with penalized regression and a metabolomics score ("metaboscore") reflecting the overall MIND biological fingerprint was calculated. The secondary outcome was cognitive decline status (coded as binary: accelerated, vs. null or minimal decline) over follow-up, assessed using repeated cognitive measures in the two case-control samples. The metaboscore was reconstructed and linked to the odds of cognitive decline. RESULTS: Eight metabolites were identified: three were associated with higher MIND adherence (3-hydroxyhippuric acid, 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid, betaine - phenolic acids and amino acid related to plant foods) and five with lower MIND adherence (1-methylhistidine from red meat; cyclo(L-leucyl-L-prolyl) from coffee; tartaric acid from wine; myristoyl-carnitine and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, endogenous). The French-MIND metaboscore was linked to lower odds of cognitive decline, although replication was not statistically significant after multivariable adjustment. CONCLUSION: A novel metabolomic signature of the MIND diet was characterized, which may help screen older adults at risk of poor brain nutrition and could support personalized dietary prevention strategies.

Source: The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer s Disease

DOI: 10.1016/j.tjpad.2026.100670

Institutions: Université de Bordeaux, Inserm, AgroParisTech, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Bordeaux Population Health, Physiologie de la Nutrition et du Comportement Alimentaire, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable, Universitat de Barcelona, Nanyang Technological University, Université Clermont Auvergne, Unité de Nutrition Humaine, King's College London, University of Amsterdam, Paracelsus Medical University

Language: English

Topic: Nutritional Studies and Diet

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,060

Funders: Sanofi, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable, Joint Programming Initiative A healthy diet for a healthy life, Bpifrance, Agence Nationale de la Recherche, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, ZonMw, Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale, Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Fondation de France, Université de Bordeaux, Fondation Plan Alzheimer, Mutuelle Générale de l'Education Nationale, Alzheimer Nederland, Boehringer Ingelheim France, FONDATION ALZHEIMER, Caisse nationale de solidarité pour l'autonomie, Medical Research Council, Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, European Regional Development Fund

OpenAlex ID: W7208480933