A LITERATURE REVIEW OF THE PHYSIOLOGICAL AND COGNITIVE IMPACTS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET ON ALZHIEMER’S DISEASE AND THE AGING BRAIN

Abstract

Millions of people are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease every year. This neurodegenerative disorder has been characterized as a buildup of neurotoxic proteins, leading to physiological and cognitive changes in the brain. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s Disease. However, recent research suggests that the Mediterranean Diet could slow down and even reverse some of the effects of Alzheimer’s Disease. Data analysts have found that residents living in the Mediterranean region of the world (Italy and Greece) have the lowest prevalence rates of Alzheimer’s disease compared to any other region in the world. Researchers believe that the diets of these individuals may be responsible for this finding. I have conducted a literature analysis surrounding the current findings of the Mediterranean diet and its associated effects on Alzheimer’s Disease. In this thesis, I will discuss how the Mediterranean diet affects the physiological and cognitive states of Alzheimer’s patients along with the dose-response effect that is observed from the diet.