Therapeutic and preventive impact of nutritional lipids on neuronal and cognitive performance
The European collaborative LipiDiDiet project in the Seventh framework programme addresses the impact of nutritional lipids on neuronal and cognitive performance in aging, Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. This is based on previous observations that lipids change the risk for dementia.
Especially some omega-3 lipids appear to lower the Alzheimer risk. It is our major aim to complement the currently existing medical therapy of Alzheimer’s disease with nutrition, especially at the very first stages of Alzheimer’s disease. But we do not stop at Alzheimer’s, we also develop dietary products that maintain and support the normal cognitive function in healthy aging in general and help reduce cerebrovascular risks. In addition to dietary products we also develop diet and life-style based health care advice for the elderly. The project is based on two elements: one is applied research documenting the value of nutritional support in persons at risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The other element is basic research generating more knowledge about the possible therapeutic and preventive effects of dietary lipids in model systems of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. It is our aim to develop a lipid-based diet that reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease and related diseases, and has a stabilizing effect on cognitive performance in aging. Furthermore, we will provide diet and life-style based health care advice for the elderly.
The project coordinated by Professor Tobias Hartmann (Saarland University) integrates basic and clinical research performed in various institutions comprising:
Saarland University
University of Eastern Finland
University of Szeged
Tel Aviv University
Stichting Katholieke Universiteit - Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center
University of Gothenburg
DANONE Research
Karolinska Institutet
Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic - Institute of Physiology
VU University Medical Center
University of Bonn
European Research and Project Office GmbH
Heidelberg University Hospital
University Hospital of Tuebingen
Central Institute for Mental Health
University Hospital Regensburg
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