Exploring how a personalized Mediterranean diet can help prevent Alzheimer's dementia through the gut-brain connection.
Official title: The Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis and Personalized Mediterranean Diet Interventions for Alzheimer's Dementia Prevention
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-10884810 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how following the Mediterranean diet might help prevent Alzheimer's dementia, and it will personalize diet plans based on your unique gut health to see how well they work for you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $2,451,933 |
| NIH project number | 1RF1AG083764-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10884810 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for Alzheimer's dementia, particularly those with age-related cognitive decline.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced Alzheimer's dementia or those who do not have a gut microbiome profile suitable for dietary intervention may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between the Mediterranean diet and cognitive health, specifically focusing on Alzheimer's dementia prevention. It aims to personalize dietary recommendations based on individual gut microbiome profiles, as preliminary data suggest that these profiles may influence how well a person responds to the diet. The study will utilize randomized controlled trials to assess the effectiveness of tailored dietary interventions, leveraging existing biological samples for a comprehensive analysis. By understanding the gut-brain axis, the research seeks to identify how dietary changes can impact cognitive function over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to personalized dietary strategies that significantly slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's dementia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous observational studies have shown promise in the relationship between the Mediterranean diet and cognitive health, but this approach of personalized dietary intervention based on gut microbiome profiles is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Dong — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Wang, Dong
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.