Faculty Sponsor
Jana Stedman
College
College of Nursing & Health Professions (CONHP)
Department/Program
Physician Assistant Studies
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Symposium Date
Summer 7-22-2026
Abstract
Objective:
This paper aims to analyze current research and outcomes of the MIND diet on preventing and slowing neurocognitive decline in adults with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. A literature review was conducted to evaluate the correlation between the MIND diet and slowed neurodegenerative disease through structural change, transcriptomics, biomarkers, and cognitive function testing.
Methods:
A narrative literature review was conducted using Google Scholar, PubMed, and JAMA to identify studies published between 2020 and 2025 examining the MIND diet and cognitive outcomes in adults with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Studies using validated cognitive assessments and comparison groups were included, while studies published before 2020 or lacking a comparison group were excluded.
Results:
Four of five studies concluded higher adherence to the MIND diet was associated with improved cognitive outcomes, while one study suggested no significance between the control and intervention group. Adherence to the diet was associated with lower risk of dementia, slowed MMSE and MoCA score decline, reduced neurodegeneration and associated biomarkers, and positively correlated epigenetic modulation. Data suggests a consistent, positive association between the MIND diet and preserved cognitive function with varied statistical strength across individual studies.
Conclusion:
Current evidence supports the MIND diet slows neurodegeneration through amyloid plaque and chain reduction, modulating gene expression, decreased hippocampal sclerosis, and improving co-morbid conditions, and overall systemic inflammation. These findings are promising for the reduction of neurodegenerative changes without adverse clinical outcomes; however, further long-term studies are needed to more firmly support this conclusion.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Neurodegeneration, MIND diet, Nutrition
Recommended Citation
Pleckham, Alayna, "Food for Thought: Evaluating the MIND Diet’s Impact on Cognitive Decline" (2026). Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium. 317.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/sires/317
Research Poster
Biographical Information about Author(s)
Alayna Pleckham has an anticipated graduation date of July 2026 from the Valparaiso University Physician Assistant Program. Her favorite rotation was cardiology with plans to pursue a career in the field after graduation. Alayna was inspired to research the topic of “Food for Thought: Evaluating the MIND Diet’s Impact on Cognitive Decline” because of her strong interest in the importance of nutrition and the role it plays in prevention and maintenance of chronic diseases.