"Previous research has implicated lifestyle factors in the neurodegenerative process underlying prodromal Parkinson's disease (PD). Adherence to Mediterranean diet has been associated with reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease, another neurodegenerative disorder (1).
The aim of a recent longitudinal study based on the data of the Hellenic Longitudinal Investigation of Aging and Diet (HELIAD) cohort was to investigate the potential link between the adherence to Mediterranean diet and the development of PD or prodromal PD among Mediterranean community-dwelling individuals, aged ≥ 65 years (2).
For the evaluation of Mediterranean diet adherence, a detailed food frequency questionnaire was used to calculate an adherence score, ranging from 0 to 55 (higher scores indicating higher adherence). The updated Movement Disorder Society research criteria were used for the calculation of probability of prodromal PD.
Totally, 1047 non-PD/dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) participants were followed for 3 ± 1 years. Results demonstrated that adherence to Mediterranean diet was significantly associated with lower increase in prodromal PD probability over time. Compared to the participants in the lowest quartile of Mediterranean adherence score, those in the higher quartiles displayed a 60%-70% lower risk for possible/probable prodromal PD. For each unit increase in the Mediterranean adherence score, there was a 9%-10% lower risk for PD/DLB.
Collectively, these findings show that Mediterranean diet adherence is associated with lower increase in prodromal PD probability, as well as lower possible/probable prodromal PD and PD/DLB incidence in older Mediterranean individuals, suggesting that Mediterranean diet might possibly exert a neuroprotective role against the process of neurodegeneration. "
Key Points:
- Adherence to Mediterranean diet was significantly associated with lower increase in prodromal PD probability over time in a Mediterranean older population
- Compared to the participants in the lowest quartile of Mediterranean adherence score, those in the higher quartiles displayed a 60%-70% lower risk for possible/probable prodromal PD
- Although more studies are needed in other populations, Mediterranean diet might possibly exert a neuroprotective role against the process of neurodegeneration
References:
- Scarmeas N, Stern Y, Tang MX, Mayeux R, Luchsinger JA. Mediterranean diet and risk for Alzheimer's disease. Ann Neurol. 2006 Jun;59(6):912-21. doi: 10.1002/ana.20854. PMID: 16622828; PMCID: PMC3024594.
- Maraki MI, Yannakoulia M, Xiromerisiou G, Stefanis L, Charisis S, Giagkou N, Kosmidis MH, Dardiotis E, Hadjigeorgiou GM, Sakka P, Scarmeas N, Stamelou M. Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower probability of prodromal Parkinson's disease and risk for Parkinson's disease/dementia with Lewy bodies: A longitudinal study. Eur J Neurol. 2023 Apr;30(4):934-942. doi: 10.1111/ene.15698. Epub 2023 Feb 6. PMID: 36692092.
Co-Author:
Melinda Magyari, Danish Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
Dániel Bereczki, 1./ Department of Neurology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary 2./ MTA-SE Neuroepidemiological Research Group ELKH, Budapest, Hungary
Publish on behalf of the Scientific Panel on Neuroepidemiology