Nutritional factors and Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Nutritional factors are integrally linked with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although AD patients have no changes in energy metabolism, fluctuations in weight are fairly common. The potential role of vitamin B12 and folate, with the production of hyperhomoeysteinemia, in the pathophysiology of AD is explored. Therole of free-radical damage in AD is discussed. It is stressed that alterations in dietary lipids may play an important role in cognitive defects in AD secondary to their effects on neuronal membrane lipids. More research is needed onthe role of nutrition in the ongoing development of cognitive changes in AD. © 2001 The Gerontological Society of America.