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

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Agnes Flöel
• Subject Area: Clinical Neurology; Neurosurgery and Neuroradiology
• Term: from 2009 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 130538578

• Final Report Year: 2015

Final Report Abstract

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.

Publications

• 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
  (See online at https://doi.org/10.1212/01.wnl.0000435561.00234.ee)
• . 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
  (See online at https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0385-14.2014)
• 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
  (See online at https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bht163)
• Impact of KIBRA Polymorphism on Memory Function and the Hippocampus in Older Adults. Neuropsychopharmacology
  Witte AV, Köbe T, Kerti L, Rujescu D, Flöel A
  (See online at https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/npp.2015.203)