Western Diet Linked to Faster Attention Decline in Genetic Alzheimer’s Risk Group

Long-term data from the Western Australia Memory Study indicate that eating patterns heavy in processed foods, fried items, and refined sugars may accelerate attention decline in older adults carrying the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 gene variant. According to research published in the journal Nutrients, investigators found a specific vulnerability in attention domains among genetically susceptible participants following a Western diet, though sensitivity checks highlight that these associations require cautious interpretation.

Study Design and Dietary Assessment Methods

The Australian research team analyzed longitudinal data from 185 older adults recruited in Perth between 2006 and 2009. Participants provided baseline blood samples for APOE genotyping and completed the Cancer Council of Victoria Food Frequency Questionnaire (CCVFFQ) to track dietary habits. Researchers utilized principal component analysis across 33 distinct food groups to categorize participants into Western and Prudent dietary patterns. Cognitive function was evaluated through a comprehensive neuropsychological battery administered at baseline and across up to five subsequent visits scheduled at 18-month intervals, tracking six separate cognitive domains.

APOE ε4 Status and Cognitive Trajectories

Among the 185 participants, who had a mean age of 70.6 years, 30.8 percent carried at least one APOE ε4 allele, a well-established genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. While initial models suggested a link between Western dietary patterns and faster declines in attention among these genetic carriers, the overall cohort size remained modest. Out of the original participants, 36 completed a sixth cognitive assessment, and 19 scored below 23 points on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment at baseline. Sensitivity analyses that excluded these lower-scoring participants revealed that the associations between dietary patterns and cognitive decline carry statistical uncertainty, underscoring the complexity of linking single lifestyle factors to neurodegenerative risks.