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ARS Home Northeast Area Boston, Massachusetts Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging Research





- Onwulata, Charles
- Shukitt-Hale, Barbara
- Human Nutrition (107)

Research Project: **Location:
                            Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging** Project Number: 8050-10700-004-000-D
                        
                        Project Type: In-House Appropriated Start Date: Mar 12, 2024
                        
                        End Date: Mar 11, 2029 **Objective:**
                        
                        Objective 1:  Evaluate associations between dietary patterns, food components, and microbial metabolites with nervous system functions and healthspan.
Subobjective 1.A To elucidate associations between vitamins K and D with brain structure (neuropathology and neuroimaging outcomes) and function (cognitive and motor).
Subobjective 1.B: To evaluate vitamin B12 status, cognitive decline, and incident dementia.
Subobjective 1.C: To evaluate vitamin B12 and folate status in preventing AMD and slowing its progression.

Objective 2:  Determine the mechanisms whereby dietary interventions attenuate age-related decline of brain and sensory systems.
Subobjective 2.A: Determine the role of diet, aging, gut-retina axis, and glycation on the development of AMD in mice models.
Subobjective 2.B: Determine the impact of bioactive dietary compounds on brain connectivity.
Subobjective 2.C: Evaluate the effects of bioactive dietary compounds on age- and AlzD-impaired neurogenesis. 
Subobjective 2.D: Evaluate the effects of nutrients on age-related impairments in brain and sensory function, including cognition throughout the lifespan. **Approach:**
                        
                        We aim to define the effects of diet and bioactive dietary compounds on the gradual loss of the functions and structural integrity of the aging brain and sensory system.  We will use information available from population-based longitudinal and prospective studies to evaluate associations of diet with nervous system and sensory functions. Diet exposure will be characterized through the assessment of dietary patterns and novel diet biomarkers. Nervous system and sensory functions will be characterized using a combination of measures to capture multiple aspects of brain health.  The effects of diet and aging on mechanisms relevant for brain and sensory functions in response to diet and aging will be evaluated across multiple model systems, including rodent models studied across the lifespan. Findings from observational human studies will be used to inform dietary interventions for in vitro and animal studies.  This will create a framework for testing nutrient effects, and data from in vitro, animal models, and population-based studies will be translated into proof-of-concept Phase I clinical trials.  

The research in this plan integrates with the larger mission of the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University.   The results of the proposed studies will be integrated into the Center’s approach to elucidating nutrition that can improve healthspan.


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