NuBrain: UK Consortium for Optimal Nutrition for Healthy Brain Ageing
Lead Research Organisation:
Newcastle University
Department Name: Population Health Sciences Institute
Abstract
Cognitive function declines naturally with age and in some individuals, this will progress to differing degrees of cognitive impairment or to dementia Globally the human population is living longer; it is predicted that by 2050, the number of people aged 60 years and over will reach two billion. As a result, it is predicted that dementia prevalence will almost triple during this timeframe.
The health, economic and social burden of dementia and other cognitive disorders is profound and mental health is considered to be one of the greatest global challenges. There is currently a distinct lack of effective medications to prevent or treat dementias. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify i) which individuals are at greatest risk and ii) which lifestyle factors can modify cognition and therefore target to support better brain health in our ageing population. There is strong and growing evidence from animal and population observational studies that nutrition throughout the life-course has a profound impact on age-associated cognitive decline. However, as yet, there is limited understanding of which dietary patterns, foods and food components influence brain function during ageing and at what intakes and which population subgroups (age, sex, stage of disease progression etc.) are most responsive. As highlighted in a recent UK Department of Health Report (SACN 2018, Statement on Diet, Cognitive Impairment and Dementias) there is a great need to conduct fit-for-purpose intervention studies in humans to meaningfully advance our current understanding of the potential of nutrition strategies in brain health.
Our collaboration will aim to address these knowledge gaps with the long-term aim of improving brain ageing through better understanding of the impact of nutrition on brain health. This requires a new collaboration between scientists from multiple disciplines, many of whom have not collaborated before or who have not previously engaged in nutrition research. The NuBrain consortium will bring together expertise and techniques in human nutrition, translational epidemiology, informatics, brain imaging, neuroscience, behavioural science and public health and policy along with clinical psychiatry expertise to produce a step change in research on nutrition and brain ageing. We will engage with industry and retailers, government, policy makers, charities and the public to ensure that research findings are relevant and to maximise opportunities for translation via e.g. food product innovation and public health policy in an effective and timely manner to improve public health. Initial studies carried out by the consortium will focus on utilising information from several key cohort studies to better understand the potential benefits of dietary interventions for healthy brain ageing in different target populations. We will also carry out feasibility studies to further understand how to support long term dietary behaviour change and the efficacy of different intervention tools and methodologies to help achieve this. Further feasibility studies will be funded as the consortium develops.
We will support early career researchers (ECRs) in relevant fields to develop new skills and expertise and foster innovation in nutrition and brain ageing research. The consortium will expose ECRs to new collaborators, potential industry partners and other important bodies such as Alzheimer's Research UK and Public Health England. This is important to build capacity and develop the next generation of multidisciplinary researchers in this area.
This funding will also act as a catalyst for the consortium to develop future funding bids to continue to develop the research in this area. We will actively seek ways to (i) attract new members and further develop the expertise within the consortium and (ii) seek further funding from funding bodies to strengthen and expand the work of the collaboration.
The health, economic and social burden of dementia and other cognitive disorders is profound and mental health is considered to be one of the greatest global challenges. There is currently a distinct lack of effective medications to prevent or treat dementias. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify i) which individuals are at greatest risk and ii) which lifestyle factors can modify cognition and therefore target to support better brain health in our ageing population. There is strong and growing evidence from animal and population observational studies that nutrition throughout the life-course has a profound impact on age-associated cognitive decline. However, as yet, there is limited understanding of which dietary patterns, foods and food components influence brain function during ageing and at what intakes and which population subgroups (age, sex, stage of disease progression etc.) are most responsive. As highlighted in a recent UK Department of Health Report (SACN 2018, Statement on Diet, Cognitive Impairment and Dementias) there is a great need to conduct fit-for-purpose intervention studies in humans to meaningfully advance our current understanding of the potential of nutrition strategies in brain health.
Our collaboration will aim to address these knowledge gaps with the long-term aim of improving brain ageing through better understanding of the impact of nutrition on brain health. This requires a new collaboration between scientists from multiple disciplines, many of whom have not collaborated before or who have not previously engaged in nutrition research. The NuBrain consortium will bring together expertise and techniques in human nutrition, translational epidemiology, informatics, brain imaging, neuroscience, behavioural science and public health and policy along with clinical psychiatry expertise to produce a step change in research on nutrition and brain ageing. We will engage with industry and retailers, government, policy makers, charities and the public to ensure that research findings are relevant and to maximise opportunities for translation via e.g. food product innovation and public health policy in an effective and timely manner to improve public health. Initial studies carried out by the consortium will focus on utilising information from several key cohort studies to better understand the potential benefits of dietary interventions for healthy brain ageing in different target populations. We will also carry out feasibility studies to further understand how to support long term dietary behaviour change and the efficacy of different intervention tools and methodologies to help achieve this. Further feasibility studies will be funded as the consortium develops.
We will support early career researchers (ECRs) in relevant fields to develop new skills and expertise and foster innovation in nutrition and brain ageing research. The consortium will expose ECRs to new collaborators, potential industry partners and other important bodies such as Alzheimer's Research UK and Public Health England. This is important to build capacity and develop the next generation of multidisciplinary researchers in this area.
This funding will also act as a catalyst for the consortium to develop future funding bids to continue to develop the research in this area. We will actively seek ways to (i) attract new members and further develop the expertise within the consortium and (ii) seek further funding from funding bodies to strengthen and expand the work of the collaboration.
Technical Summary
Whilst some cognitive functions remain stable with age, most people experience age-related decline in cognition which can progress to differing degrees of cognitive impairment or to dementia. Dementia currently affects 47 million people worldwide, and is projected to increase to over 131 million people by 2050, with increased prevalence mainly attributed to ageing population demographics. With the lack of effective curative or preventative pharmacological interventions, there is an urgent need to identify i) at risk individuals and ii) modifiable factors for targeted interventions to support better brain health in our ageing population. Nutrition is emerging as a tractable lifestyle factor to promote healthy brain ageing and reduce dementia risk. Research (mainly observational and often cross-sectional in approach) has identified numerous dietary factors (e.g. DHA, B-vitamins, Vitamin D) that can promote cognitive performance with cell and rodent models providing insights into underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms. However, comprehensive longitudinal or RCT data, using sensitive measures of cognitive function and brain structure, and state-of-the-art detailed nutrition profiling is lacking. Such information is needed in order to gain insight and granularity into which diet derived components are likely to be most effective at a population and population subgroup level.
Our vision is to provide a step change in research in the area by developing novel approaches and techniques to further understand the complex interactions between diet and brain health and how we can support appropriate behaviour change in the population. This will be achieved by bringing together a consortium with multi-disciplinary but complimentary areas of expertise to address this specific challenge. The aim is to build a sustainable internationally field-leading consortium in nutrition and brain ageing who can collectively address the fundamental research challenges in this area.
Our vision is to provide a step change in research in the area by developing novel approaches and techniques to further understand the complex interactions between diet and brain health and how we can support appropriate behaviour change in the population. This will be achieved by bringing together a consortium with multi-disciplinary but complimentary areas of expertise to address this specific challenge. The aim is to build a sustainable internationally field-leading consortium in nutrition and brain ageing who can collectively address the fundamental research challenges in this area.
Planned Impact
Worldwide, 47 million people are currently affected by dementia with approximately 8 million newly diagnosed cases annually. Even though the overall care of individuals with dementia has improved, effective interventions to prevent or delay onset are still lacking. In England alone, it is estimated that the economic cost of dementia is £23 billion a year and this is set to triple by 2040. The prevention or delay of significant cognitive decline would have profound health and socio-economic benefits. It is paramount that we act now to develop effective solutions to this serious health issue. The impact of diet and nutrition on age-related cognitive decline is a growing research field but well-designed studies in target populations with sensitive outcome measures have yet to be carried out. The overall aim of the proposed work is to build a multidisciplinary consortium who can collectively begin to address the fundamental research challenges in nutrition and brain ageing, working towards supporting appropriate behaviour change in target populations. This research will have far-reaching impact for multiple beneficiaries:
THE AGEING POPULATION: Preventing or slowing cognitive decline through effective dietary strategies would have major benefits for public health including improved functional years of life and independence and reduced care burden for families and health care professionals. We anticipate that the proposed research will ultimately help to develop useable public health nutritional recommendations for policy makers and clinicians to support healthy brain ageing. We will also better understand the opportunities to support behaviour change in food choice and consumption and how we can work with key stakeholders such as the food industry, retailers, technology companies and health care professionals to achieve this. This will aid the public to adhere to recommendations and make sustainable dietary changes which will help to support better brain health in later life.The health impacts will help to reduce NHS burden of cognitive decline in our ageing population.
PARTNERSHIP WITH INDUSTRY: Partnership with industry is vital to ensure research advances can be translated into better services, products or improved support to facilitate long-term behaviour change. Industry partners have already committed to the NuBrain consortium. The pre-competitive nature of this research means that further collaborations can and will be developed as the consortium grows and develops. Through partnership with Campden BRI we will disseminate our aims and objectives and subsequently main findings to key industry partners maximising our impact. We will also engage with the National Innovation Centre for Ageing to attract other industry partners to the consortium e.g. technology companies to aid the delivery of large scale interventions.
TRAINING OF EARLY CAREER RESEARCHERS: This work takes a novel multidisciplinary approach towards addressing a major nutritional challenge. This project will hence offer experience and training across a range of techniques and discipline areas building the skills and capacity of the next generation of nutritional science researchers. The opportunities to engage with multiple stakeholders will also support future collaborations, knowledge transfer, and raise awareness of potential career opportunities. This will strengthen future expertise at the interface between public health, nutrition and technology and ultimately help to build future capacity in nutrition science, an important issue highlighted by the MRC /NIHR Review of Nutrition and Human Health Research (July 2017). The ECR Sandpit Event (WP1) will be an excellent opportunity for ECRs to engage with stakeholders and co-develop pilot and feasibility studies. ECRs will also be involved in the planning and management of this event led by the ECR representative on the Collaboration Steering Group.
THE AGEING POPULATION: Preventing or slowing cognitive decline through effective dietary strategies would have major benefits for public health including improved functional years of life and independence and reduced care burden for families and health care professionals. We anticipate that the proposed research will ultimately help to develop useable public health nutritional recommendations for policy makers and clinicians to support healthy brain ageing. We will also better understand the opportunities to support behaviour change in food choice and consumption and how we can work with key stakeholders such as the food industry, retailers, technology companies and health care professionals to achieve this. This will aid the public to adhere to recommendations and make sustainable dietary changes which will help to support better brain health in later life.The health impacts will help to reduce NHS burden of cognitive decline in our ageing population.
PARTNERSHIP WITH INDUSTRY: Partnership with industry is vital to ensure research advances can be translated into better services, products or improved support to facilitate long-term behaviour change. Industry partners have already committed to the NuBrain consortium. The pre-competitive nature of this research means that further collaborations can and will be developed as the consortium grows and develops. Through partnership with Campden BRI we will disseminate our aims and objectives and subsequently main findings to key industry partners maximising our impact. We will also engage with the National Innovation Centre for Ageing to attract other industry partners to the consortium e.g. technology companies to aid the delivery of large scale interventions.
TRAINING OF EARLY CAREER RESEARCHERS: This work takes a novel multidisciplinary approach towards addressing a major nutritional challenge. This project will hence offer experience and training across a range of techniques and discipline areas building the skills and capacity of the next generation of nutritional science researchers. The opportunities to engage with multiple stakeholders will also support future collaborations, knowledge transfer, and raise awareness of potential career opportunities. This will strengthen future expertise at the interface between public health, nutrition and technology and ultimately help to build future capacity in nutrition science, an important issue highlighted by the MRC /NIHR Review of Nutrition and Human Health Research (July 2017). The ECR Sandpit Event (WP1) will be an excellent opportunity for ECRs to engage with stakeholders and co-develop pilot and feasibility studies. ECRs will also be involved in the planning and management of this event led by the ECR representative on the Collaboration Steering Group.
Organisations
Publications

Bauermeister SD
(2023)
Insulin resistance, age and depression's impact on cognition in middle-aged adults from the PREVENT cohort.
in BMJ mental health

Buller-Peralta I
(2024)
Comprehensive allostatic load risk index is associated with increased frontal and left parietal white matter hyperintensities in mid-life cognitively healthy adults.
in Scientific reports


Cowell OR
(2021)
Effects of a Mediterranean diet on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and observational studies.
in Journal of hypertension

Esgunoglu L
(2022)
Short-term effects of a Mediterranean-style dietary pattern on cognition and mental well-being: a systematic review of clinical trials.
in The British journal of nutrition

Gregory S
(2023)
The Mediterranean diet is associated with better cardiometabolic health for women in mid-life but not men: A PREVENT dementia cohort cross-sectional analysis.
in Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD

Gregory S
(2022)
Mediterranean diet score is associated with greater allocentric processing in the EPAD LCS cohort: A comparative analysis by biogeographical region.
in Frontiers in aging



Gregory S
(2024)
Adherence to the Eatwell Guide and cardiometabolic, cognitive and neuroimaging parameters: an analysis from the PREVENT dementia study
in Nutrition & Metabolism
Description | All Party Parlimentary Group (APPG) Menoapause |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
URL | https://menopause-appg.co.uk/ |
Description | Dementia Prevention Strategy Consultation |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Description | Submission to UK Government Prevention in health and social care Inquiry, entitled 'DEMENTIA: EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF RISK AND PREVENTION WITH A FOCUS ON MID-LIFE' |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
URL | https://committees.parliament.uk/work/7205/prevention-in-health-and-social-care/ |
Description | UK Womens Health Strategy |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
URL | https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/womens-health-strategy-call-for-evidence/womens-health-s... |
Description | Adherence to the Eatwell Guide and population and planetary health |
Amount | £8,800 (GBP) |
Organisation | Rank Prize Funds |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2022 |
End | 09/2023 |
Description | Co-creation of an intervention to increase physical activity uptake for dementia risk reduction, among ethnic minority communities in North East England |
Amount | £12,307 (GBP) |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2024 |
End | 04/2025 |
Description | The Eatwell Guide, Brain Health, and Neurodegeneration Network |
Amount | £11,800 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 3071 |
Organisation | Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2022 |
End | 08/2024 |
Description | Collaboration with Brain Health Scotland to develop a MOOK and other educational initiatives |
Organisation | Alzheimer Scotland |
Department | Brain Health Scotland |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | developed online learning material for a MOOK edin.ac/3kitHet |
Collaborator Contribution | Brain Health Scotland developed the overall MOOK that i contributed to |
Impact | MOOK produced by Future Learn on Brain Health |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Collaboration with Edith Cowen University |
Organisation | Edith Cowan University |
Country | Australia |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | co development of research ideas and co-authorship of manuscripts |
Collaborator Contribution | co development of research ideas and co-authorship of manuscripts |
Impact | manuscripts in review in brain health and nutrition |
Start Year | 2023 |
Description | EPAD Dementia Cohort analysis |
Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
Department | Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (CCBS) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The EPAD cohort provides the data needed to explore the interactive impact of APOE genotype, sex and HRT use on cognition and brain atrophy. We have provided the novel hypothesis and data analysis |
Collaborator Contribution | Data and cognition/MRI expertise |
Impact | Paper in preparation |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | MedWalk_Australian RCT |
Organisation | Swinburne University of Technology |
Country | Australia |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I am overseas Chief Investigators for an Australian Government (National Health and Medical Research Council) funded grant invesitgating the combined impact of nutrition and exercise on cognition in older adults We use best practice from MedEx to inform the design and application of MedWalk and vica versa |
Collaborator Contribution | Strong team of collabroators for 6 Australaian Centres with indepth knowledge of the impact of a Mediterranean Diet on Cognition and dementia risk |
Impact | Sharing of best practrice and joint Symposium on Meditteraean Diet and health at the World Congress of Oil and fats in Sydney, Feb 2020 https://wcofsydney2020.com/pre-congress-workshops.php |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | PREDIMED_Miguel Ruiz-Canela & Cristina Razquin-Burillo |
Organisation | University of Navarra |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Contribution to the design and deliver of Mediterranean-diet related research |
Collaborator Contribution | Opportunities for collaboration on future-grant bids and publication |
Impact | NA |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | Queens University Belfast Brain Health partnership |
Organisation | Queen's University Belfast |
Department | Centre for Public Health (CPH) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Development of a UK wide large scale survey on Lifestyle and Brain Health in collaboration with Queens University Belfast |
Collaborator Contribution | Development of survey, data analysis, roll out of the survey in England. |
Impact | development of educational material |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | AGENTS network presentation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Presentation to working ECR group Shannon OM. Dietary patterns and brain health: Methodological considerations. UKRI AGENTS Network meeting. Invited oral presentation. Glasgow, March 2023. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
Description | APPG on the Menopause |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Advisor to the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the Menopause, HRT, nutrition and cognitive health 20/3/23 next sitting in Westminster |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://menopause-appg.co.uk/ |
Description | Ageing Fit: Innovation Event, Nice, France |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Event foccused on the translation of research into industrial innovation |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.ageingfit-event.com/conferences-2/speakers/ |
Description | All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) - Nutrition, Science and Health. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | presentation on nutrition and brain health to APPG Shannon OM. Impact of consuming a Mediterranean-like diet on cognition and risk of dementia. All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) - Nutrition, Science and Health. Invited oral presentation. London, November 2023. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2024 |
Description | Alzheimer Europe Conference Presentation - Physical Activity, Sport and Nutrition for Brain Health |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Conference symposium at Alzheimer Europe Conference called - Physical Activity, Sport and Nutrition for Brain Health. Symposium led by E Stevenson and C Ritchie |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.alzheimer-europe.org/Conferences/2021-Online |
Description | Alzheimer's Association International Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | presentation at international conference Shannon, OM et al. Mediterranean diet adherence is associated with lower dementia risk, independent of genetic predisposition: Findings from the UK Biobank prospective cohort study. Alzheimer's Association International Conference. Poster presentation. Amsterdam, July 2023. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Alzheimers Europe workshop on nutrition and brain health |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | online workshop / presentation delivered by E Stevenson on nutrition and brain health for the Alzheimers Europe conference. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Dementia Prevention Summer School presentation / workshop on nutrition and brain health |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | E Stevenson and O Shannon gave talks on nutrition and brain health followed by a debate and practical advice for practitioners working in DementIa Prevention |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | EDP Article: How the Mediterranean diet protects against dementia |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Media article launching Norwich institute of Health Ageing of which I am director |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/health/norwich-scientist-researching-mediterranean-diet-6403822 |
Description | EDP Article_How to eat well for your body and mind in lockdown |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Article to support an online event the following Friday also run by the EDp |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.edp24.co.uk/things-to-do/food-reviews/norfolk-open-up-conference-gut-health-7304654 |
Description | EIRA Healthy Ageing: Research to Application |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | To consider the translation of research into policy and practice |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.uea.ac.uk/medicine/engagement/blog/-/blogs/eira-healthy-ageing-research-to-application-e... |
Description | Eaton Festival: Nutrition, brain vitality and dementia |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | A talk as part of a local Eaton Summer Programme |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Hackathon workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | NuBrain ECRs organised a Hackathon event to develop new research and engagement ideas around nutrition and brain health |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | How does what you eat affect brain function? |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | We've spoken on the Food Matters Live Podcast recently about nutrition and healthy ageing, but the link with cognitive function warrants an episode all of its own. There's a lot of current research into whether diet can slow down cognitive ageing and even reduce your risk of dementia. The notion of 'brain food' is nothing new, but how much of what we're told stands up to scrutiny? What does the research tell us? And what should we be eating to keep our brains healthy? The brain makes up just two per cent of our bodyweight, but uses 20 per cent of our oxygen intake, 20 per cent of the glucose we consume, and needs more than 1,000 litres of blood every day. It would seem to follow that the nutrients we consume through the food we eat will have a big impact on our brain function. But we're interested in looking at the facts, the science, and the research that either supports or contradicts that assumption. In recent years it's been suggested there are particular foods which protect cognitive health, does Omega-3 have as big an impact as some would have us believe? And does it matter how it's consumed? What role do the food and supplements industries have to play in ensuring we're all getting the right nutrients to maintain cognitive function? We also look at the impact nutrition can have on Dementia, how what we eat can affect short-term cognitive function, and ask how you go about getting people to change their diets. Anne-Marie Minihane, Professor of Nutrigenetics and Head of Nutrition and Preventive Medicine in the Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://audioboom.com/posts/8103735-how-does-what-you-eat-affect-brain-function |
Description | How does what you eat affect brain function? |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | One to one interview on Podcast |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://foodmatterslive.com/podcast/how-does-what-you-eat-affect-brain-function-food-podcasts/ |
Description | How to be a scientist & Growth |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Science week event |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | How to protect your brain health |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | A podcast as part of a series on women's health |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/9f008ac2-94a2-45ee-a2aa-97a45bbf2015 |
Description | International Life Sciences Scientific Advisor |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | I am a member of a scientific advisor group for ILSI Europe which is a tripartite organisation, between academics, industry and policy makers. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://ilsi.eu/about-us/ |
Description | International Women's Day presentation_Nutrition HRT and Women's Health_We are what we do' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | On line event for International Women's Day |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/we-are-what-we-do-nutrition-hrt-and-womens-health-tickets-569842633657 |
Description | Lab Notes: Gender, diet and brain health |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | public event on nutrition, menopause and brain health |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sb0ksu-ae4 |
Description | Maintaining health and wellbeing during lockdown_PODCAST |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | A PODCAST delivered by Professor Anne Marie Minihane (UEA), Dr Valerie Gladwell (Essex) and Dr Glen Davison (Kent) discuss what we mean by wellbeing, how lockdown has impacted on it, and what we can do to keep healthy and well in the current situation. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://easternarc.ac.uk/podcasts/episode-5-maintaining-health-and-wellbeing-during-lockdown/ |
Description | Media work associated with the publication of a research paper entitled 'Hormone replacement therapy is associated with improved cognition and larger brain volumes in at-risk APOE4 women: results from the European Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease (EPAD) cohort' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Channel 4, BBC, full front page of the Guardian and Express newspapers, local, national and international radio interview |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-64276452 |
Description | Mediterranean diet adherence is associated with lower dementia risk, independent of genetic predisposition: Findings from the UK Biobank prospective cohort study |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | ILSI conference on nutrition and brain health |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Norwich Science Festival_Nutrition and dementia |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | An open debate on many elemtns of dementia as part of the annual Norwich Science Festival |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://norwichsciencefestival.co.uk/ |
Description | NuBrain Policy Workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Policy makers from DHSC, from local government and third sector were invited to attend a workshop to hear about some of the latest research on the link between nutrition and brain health emerging from NuBrain on: Using big data to beat dementia; Survey data to understand what the public know, believe, and do for their brain health; Adopting a plant rich Mediterranean style diet in the UK and its benefits to brain health. At this we also shared our findings from a recent public workshop. The discussion focussed on if, and how the research and public opinions could be translated and applied to policy. Approx. 18 people attended and heard presentations and contributed to group discussion. Participants were engaged and interested in the findings on the role of nutrition in cognition and brain health but reported that this was not part of policy discussions and further is was not know where responsibility for promoting brain health currently sits with policy groups. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | NuBrain Public Workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This workshop for the public was held on 22nd Nov 2022 at the Great North Museum, Newcastle. There were approx. 15 people attending which included two people from MIND. Using big data to beat dementia: A bitesize introduction to exploring diet-dementia links in UK Biobank Using survey data to understand what the public know, believe, and do for their brain health Adopting a plant rich Mediterranean style diet in the UK and its benefits to brain health Table discussion and group work focussed on 1. How easy do you think it would be to make some of the dietary changes discussed today? 2. How would you go about making these changes? 3. What might stop you making these changes? 4. What could food manufacturers, supermarkets or government do to help you make these changes One of the main findings was that people did not understand what was meant by brain health and had not previously considered nutrition important in maintaining good 'brain health' or cognition. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Nutrition and Brain Vitality |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Talk to a local group |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Nutrition and brain vitality |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Podcast provided by Rhitrition. The purpose is increase public awareness and engagement with the nutrition-environment-health trilemma |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://rhitrition.com/ |
Description | Nutrition and brain vitality: We are what we eat |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
Results and Impact | Presentation at a Dementia Forum |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Nutrition and healthy brain ageing: A focus on plant-based diets and the NuBrain consortium. Bridge2Food Plant Based Foods and Proteins Summit. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Nutrition and healthy brain ageing: A focus on plant-based diets and the NuBrain consortium -Presentation by Dr Oliver Shannon at the Bridge2Food Plant Based Foods and Proteins Summit (international business facing meeting) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Nutrition, brain vitality and dementia |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Informal presentation at Eaton Summer Programme |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://christchurch-eaton.org.uk/content/pages/documents/1558287037.pdf |
Description | Nutrition, cognition and dementia risk |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Talk to Department of Health and Social care Group |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Online all day MENTAL HEALTH Event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | 12th Feb 2021: All day event on all aspects of mental health. i contributed to the Nutrition, eating and mental well-being session |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/health/open-up-mental-health-event-daily-press-7307012 |
Description | Presentation at Alzheimer's Scotland Conference on NuBrain consortium |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation at national conference outlining the consortium and opportunities for collaboration |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Presentation at Human Nutrition Research Centre Research Day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Presentation on the NuBrain consortium and information about how to engage |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Presentation at Industry meeting on Nutrition for Brain Health |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Invited presentation on nuBrain and nutrition and Brain health at an industry nutrition meeting in Gstaad in Jan 2022 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Presentation at PREVENT Dementia Meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation on NuBrain from Dr Oliver Shannon to PREVENT dementia group - joining up research between cohorts and collaborative groups |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Presentation for a Scottish Dementia Research Consortium webinar |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Webinar presentation on nutrition and healthy brain ageing - summarised the latest research in the area and introduced the NuBrain consortium - aims, objectives, members |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.sdrc.scot/ecr-resources/webinar |
Description | Presentation on NuBrain as part of a lunchtime education series for professionals |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Presentation on brain health and the NuBrain consortium to as part of an online seminar series entitled 'the science of' ... aimed at general public |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-science-of-wellbeing-and-brain-health-tickets-241140356297 |
Description | Public engagement online event on Nutrition and Healthy Brain Ageing |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Public engagement online event in collaboration with VOICE ( https://www.voice-global.org/) to discuss nutrition and healthy brain ageing and NuBrain consortium with members of the public. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Stress ans over- (under) eating during lockdown_BBC interview |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | An interview for the BBC to give advice on how stress can impact on our appetite and food intake, and easy to implement tips as to how to mitigate this |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-52329529 |
Description | What should we eat for a healthy brain? |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Bog for ARUK on food/nutrition and brain health |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/blog/what-should-we-eat-for-a-healthy-brain/ |
Description | You are what you eat: Nutrition, cognition and dementia prevention |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | It was a general talk at the Launch of our new Sleep Research Facility in Norwich/UEA |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.uea.ac.uk/about/-/dedicated-sleep-and-dementia-research-unit-launches-at-uea |
Description | article on nutrition and healthy brain ageing in New Nutrition Business |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Quotes about NuBrain in an article on nutrition for healthy brain ageing in New Nutrition Business (Volume 26, 5 February 2021 iSSn 1464-3308) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | presentation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Rank Prize invited talk - Contribution of n-3 fatty acids to the cognitive benefits of healthy dietary patterns. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | presentation and Gatorade Sports Science Institute symposium on nutrition and brain health |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | E Stevenson delivered a keynote presentation on nutrition and brain health at this symposium as part of the European Congress of Sports Science conference in Seville 2022 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | presentation on Nutrition and brain ageing: A focus on healthy dietary patterns |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | presentation on nutrition and ageing to academics, practitioners and postgraduate students to develop research in the area |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | presentation to members of the public 'the science of wellbeing and brain health' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | E Stevenson gave an online presentation on nutrition and brain health as part of this series called 'the science of...' for general public, business's and practitioners |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | workshop with TULIPS consortium |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Developing collaboration with the TULIPS consortium - The TULIP consortium has been organized as an international collaborative initiative between Netherland, UK, New Zealand, and Japan, which aims to address factors that conductive to healthy and happy ageing. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |