Age-related changes in cognitive function, hippocampal volume, and nutritional modifiable factors: A community-based cohort study

Rei Otsuka, Shu Zhang, Yukiko Nishita

Department of Epidemiology of Aging, Research Institute, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology

Daily eating is one of the most basic activities and is conducted several times a day throughout the life of an individual.　This review discusses the relationship between nutrition and the brain and highlights nutritional epidemiologic studies in Japan, including the National Institute for Longevity Sciences-Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA).　In the NILS-LSA study, some nutritional factors were found to attenuate the age-related cognitive decline and hippocampal atrophy.　We believe that dietary approach can prevent brain aging in the Japanese population.

Address correspondence to Dr. Rei Otsuka, Department of Epidemiology of Aging, Research Institute, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology(7-430 Morioka-cho, Obu, Aichi 474-8511, Japan)