The National Institute on Aging (NIA) awarded a $787,390 Project Grant (CFDA 93.866 - Aging Research) to Rush University Medical Center to examine the relationship between diet, neuroinflammation, brain oxidative stress, and plasma neurodegenerative biomarkers in a diverse population. The 5-year study aims to elucidate the link between diet and Alzheimer's disease/age-related dementias (AD/ADRD).
Specifically, the study will 1) assess the relationship between diet and activated microglia (an early indicator of neuroinflammation) in autopsied brains, 2) evaluate the association between diet and oxidized lipids in the brain (a measure of oxidative stress), and 3) examine the relationship between diet and plasma biomarkers like phosphorylated-glial fibrillary acidic protein, including potential race and sex differences. The research will leverage data from four harmonized, longitudinal community cohorts to provide insights into potential mechanisms connecting diet, cognition, and AD risk. The findings could inform the design of population-specific dietary interventions and personalized nutrition approaches for AD/ADRD.