# The role of inflammation in the association between diet and Alzheimer's disease

> **NIH NIH R01** · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2022 · $752,143

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
 Accumulating evidence suggests that diet may play an important role in the prevention of sporadic late-
onset form of Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD). Our previous work from the Washington Heights, Hamilton Heights,
and Inwood Columbia Aging Project (WHICAP), a longitudinal population cohort in Manhattan, has indicated
that adherence to either a Mediterranean-type diet or to other healthy dietary patterns (DPs) was related to
decreased risk for LOAD and better brain and cognitive measures in non-demented elderly subjects. While the
underlying mechanisms for the beneficial role of these DPs are unknown, evidence based on the biological
effects of individual nutrient or food components of these DPs point to inflammation. Uncontrolled chronic
inflammation has been linked to increased risk of LOAD, while long-term use of
anti-inflammatory treatment
seems to have neuroprotective effects. We aim to elucidate the mechanism for the relationship between diet
and LOAD by directly testing the hypothesis that inflammation (measured using a large number of
inflammatory markers) mediates the relationship between DPs with LOAD, and LOAD-related brain and
cognitive changes in WHICAP population, a well-established, multiethnic, elderly population. As an optimum
combination of potent anti-inflammatory foods will be valuable candidates for interventional studies, we will
also derive inflammation-explaining food combinations and test their association with both neuroimaging and
clinical outcomes. Specifically, we will perform the following studies: 1) Measure an extensive panel of
inflammatory biomarkers using Multiplex and develop inflammatory profiles (inflammatory marker patterns,
IMP). Examine the relationship between IMPs and diet, and between IMPs and LOAD risk, or LOAD-related
brain and cognitive measures. 2) Test whether the association of previous identified beneficial DPs with risk of
LOAD and cognitive decline is mediated by IMPs. In a subset of the cognitively healthy participants of the
study population who received brain MRI assessments, test whether previous identified association between
beneficial DPs and brain measures is mediated by IMPs. 3). Empirically derive optimum inflammation-
explaining dietary patterns (IDPs) that explain measured inflammatory markers’ variations to the maximum.
Examine the association of these IDPs with LOAD and LOAD-related brain and cognitive measures. Examine
whether brain measures explain the relationship of these IDPs and cognition or LOAD. 4). Replicate and
validate the findings in Aim 1 to Aim 3 in a separate cohort that has similar characteristics. Overall, successful
completion of the proposed studies will provide important information on whether inflammation contributes to
the association between diet and LOAD. Obtaining insight into the role of inflammation in the context of diet
and LOAD may assist to prioritize public health efforts and provide a firm foundation for dietary
recommendation...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10320425
- **Project number:** 5R01AG059013-04
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** Yian Gu
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $752,143
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-03-01 → 2023-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10320425

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10320425, The role of inflammation in the association between diet and Alzheimer's disease (5R01AG059013-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10320425. Licensed CC0.

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