Refined carbohydrate-rich diet is associated with long-term risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in apolipoprotein E ε4 allele carriers

Alzheimers Dement. 2020 Jul;16(7):1043-1053. doi: 10.1002/alz.12114. Epub 2020 Jun 7.

Abstract

Introduction: In animal models, refined carbohydrates (RF) worsen Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the long-term effects of high RF intake on the risk of dementia and AD are poorly described in epidemiological studies. Moreover, the interaction between RF and the apolipoprotein E ε4 allele (APOE-ε4) is unknown. Our study investigated whether RF-rich diets are associated with the risk of dementia and AD.

Methods: The glycemic load (GL) was quantified in 2777 elderly participants from the French Three-City Study to estimate RF intake. Then, the associations between GL and risk of dementia and AD, and the interaction with APOE-ε4 over a 12-year period were assessed using proportional hazards models.

Results: After adjustment for potential confounders, high afternoon-snack GL was associated with increased dementia and AD risk in APOE-ε4 carriers (hazard ratio = 1.27 [1.03-1.56]).

Discussion: This study highlights that RF-rich diets are a risk factor for dementia and AD in APOE-ε4 carriers.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; apolipoprotein E ε4; cohort study; dementia; diet; glycemic load; refined carbohydrate; sugar.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alleles*
  • Alzheimer Disease / epidemiology*
  • Alzheimer Disease / etiology
  • Alzheimer Disease / genetics
  • Apolipoprotein E4 / genetics*
  • Dementia / epidemiology*
  • Dementia / etiology
  • Dementia / genetics
  • Diet*
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • France / epidemiology
  • Genotype
  • Heterozygote*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male

Substances

  • Apolipoprotein E4
  • Dietary Carbohydrates