Mediterranean dietary pattern and risk of neurodegenerative diseases in a cohort of Swedish women

Abstract

Mediterranean dietary patterns (MDP) may be neuroprotective. Using a large population-based cohort of 42,582 Swedish women, this study examined the association between MDP adherence and the risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). During 1991–1992, women in the Women’s Lifestyle and Health Study reported dietary intake, and MDP adherence was calculated. Incident neurodegenerative diseases were identified using the Swedish National Patient Register through 2022. Women who reported high MDP adherence had a lower risk of PD (HR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.49–0.95), primarily over age 60 (HR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.47–0.97). A moderate-high MDP adherence was associated with a lower risk of ALS before age 60 (HR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.19–0.99), but not overall. We observed no association between MDP adherence and AD. Our findings suggest higher adherence to a MDP may be protective against PD above age 60, and ALS before age 60.