Diet and Memory Loss in Older Adults: A Neuroscience Perspective

There is a solid theoretical foundation for the understanding that the intake of certain nutrients may have an impact on the established processes for neurodegeneration, proven by plausible biological mechanisms. This study focuses on compiling important studies giving insight into dietary patterns that can prevent cognitive deterioration. Methods: The selected keywords facilitated a thorough and methodical search for relevant published articles, utilizing indexing sources including Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed. Evaluating the connection between nutrition and neuroscience efficiently. Only studies conducted with older adults and elderly individuals, for which complete articles were available, were included. The search strategy yielded 65 studies, reviews and meta-analyses concerning diet and cognition, supplemented by an additional 33 studies identified through reference lists of the reviews and meta-analyses. A total of 98 studies were identified, with 36 selected based on comprehensive abstracts and texts. A total of 26 studies were identified regarding the Mediterranean diet's impact on cognitive function or dementia, alongside 15 studies examining other dietary patterns related to cognitive function. Five studies conducted analyses on the Mediterranean diet in comparison to other dietary patterns. Two reviewers (OVDR and AAMB) independently conducted study selection, data extraction and quality assessment. Discussions: This review shows how diet affects memory loss, stressing the complex relationship between nutrition and neurobiology. The Mediterranean and DASH diets have high in antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and brain-healthy nutrients. These nutrients may reduce neuroinflammation, increase neuroplasticity and boost neurotrophic factor production. The gut-brain axis and microbiome modulation in cognitive function are also explored in this review. This shows that conservative diets can prevent memory decline and improve cognitive performance in older persons without drugs. This analysis lays the groundwork for future study and dietary recommendations to improve aging adults' quality of life and cognitive health. Conclusions: Effective nutritional strategies significantly reduce the overall rate of cognitive decline, particularly among the elderly population. The dietary pattern has demonstrated the potential to enhance cognitive functions within a few weeks of consistent adherence; individuals with diabetes mellitus experience advantages from the ketogenic diet; and those with obesity gain benefits from the MIND diet.