Lecture 11-Diet and cognitive decline

Question 1

What matches the risk factors for atherosclerosis, hypertension and type 2 diabetes?

Answer 1

The risk factors for cognitive decline

Question 2

What do all the risk factors have in common?

Answer 2

Brain is likely to be under prefused (not enough bloody supply to brain)

The primary mechanism is VASCULAR DISEASE

Class of diseases of the blood vessels – the arteries and veins of the circulatory system of the body

Question 3

What is Atherosclerosis?

Answer 3

Disease in which fatty plaques develop on the inner wall of arteries, resulting in obstruction of blood flow

Question 4

JARVIS Hypothesis

Answer 4

Jarvis’s results represent a chronic protective effect of coffee/tea/caffeine on cognitive function

Question 5

What are the neuroprotective actions of adenosine in brain ischaemia?

Answer 5

When someone suffers ischaemic attack (small stoke)

Adenosine is released (coming to the rescue)

Which reduced adverse effects of brain ischasemia

Through chronic exposure to caffeine

Receptors are sensitized and more effective

Adenosine is protecting the brain in older age

Question 6

n-3 fatty acids

Answer 6

n-3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid, DHA and EPA) have a variety of beneficial effects in relation to atherosclerosis and associated effects

Question 7

Diet low in saturated fat

Answer 7

High saturated fats; raise blood cholesterol

High levels of Cholesterol in blood (LDL) risk factor for atherosclerosis

Question 8

Antioxidants

Answer 8

Protective against atherosclerosis; though difficult to demonstrate

Beta carotene trials were stopped as this was increases lung cancer risk in population study

Question 9

Vitamin B9 (folate/folic acid), vitamin B6 and vitamin B12

Consumptions of B vitamins can reduce homocysteine

Answer 9

Risk factor for atherosclerosis is having a high level of homocysteine in blood

Consumptions of B vitamins can reduce homocysteine

THOUGH studies have not clearly shown this relationship

Trials have not supported this plausible set of biological evidence

Question 10

Alcohol

Answer 10

Turns out to be protective against atherosclerosis

Question 11

Tea and coffee

Neuroprotective role of adenosine during brain ischaemia

Answer 11

Polyphenols and other compounds in tea and coffee may protect against vascular disease