Lässt sich die Gedächtnisbildung bei Menschen in höherem Lebensalter verbessern durch eine Ernährungsmodifikation? Wenn ja, welche Mechanismen liegen diesem Effekt zugrunde?

• Antragstellerin: Professorin Dr. Agnes Flöel
• Fachliche Zuordnung: Klinische Neurologie; Neurochirurgie und Neuroradiologie
• Förderung: Förderung von 2009 bis 2015
• Projektkennung: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 130538578

• Erstellungsjahr: 2015

Zusammenfassung der Projektergebnisse

Dietary habits such as caloric restriction or nutrients that mimic these effects may exert beneficial effects on brain aging. Here, we tested the effect of the plant-derived polyphenol resveratrol (uptake in humans eg from grapes, nuts, Japanese knotweed) and the effect of high levels of supplementary omega-3 fatty acids (uptake in humans eg from fish oil and nuts) on brain function and structure. Healthy older individuals were tested at baseline for cognitive function, including memory and executive functions, and brain structure using magnetic resonance imaging. Then, they were given an intervention of either high-dose resveratrol, highdose omega-3 fatty acids, or placebo, for 6 months. Subsequently, they were tested again for memory and executive functions, and for brain structure. We found a significant enhancement of memory functions after resveratrol, and for executive functions after omega-3 fatty acids. Moreover, resveratrol enhanced connectivity between memory-relevant brain areas, and omega-3 fatty acids improved microstructure in the brain. In sum, these findings suggest novel strategies to maintain brain health into old age.

Projektbezogene Publikationen (Auswahl)

• Higher glucose levels associated with lower memory and reduced hippocampal microstructure. Neurology 81, 1746-1752
  Kerti L, Witte AV, Winkler A, Grittner U, Rujescu D, Flöel A
  
• . Effects of resveratrol on memory performance, hippocampal functional connectivity, and glucose metabolism in healthy older adults. Journal of Neuroscience 34, 7862-7870
  Witte AV, Kerti L, Margulies DS, Flöel A
  
• Longchain omega-3 fatty acids improve brain function and structure in older adults. Cerebral Cortex 24, 3059-3068
  Witte AV, Kerti L, Hermannstädter HM, Fiebach JB, Schreiber SJ, Schuchardt JP, Hahn A, Flöel A
  
• Impact of KIBRA Polymorphism on Memory Function and the Hippocampus in Older Adults. Neuropsychopharmacology
  Witte AV, Köbe T, Kerti L, Rujescu D, Flöel A