Enhanced Mediterranean Diet for Alzheimer's Disease Prevention

• Cognitively normal (Mini-Mental State Examination score greater than 25; AD8 score of 2 or less; no prior diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease or dementia; and not medically treated for cognitive impairment or dementia)
• Speak English as a primary language
• Live in the Kansas City metropolitan area
• Body mass index of 20 to 40

• Serious medical risk, such as type 1 diabetes, cancer, or recent cardiac event, including heart attack or angioplasty
• Nut or fish allergy (does not include shellfish)
• Specialized diet, such as vegan
• Severe major depression or major psychiatric disorder that could interfere with study participation
• Alcohol abuse (more than 3 drinks per day or total of 18 per week) or drug abuse
• Do not have access to or independence over grocery shopping and meal preparation (for example, people living in a retirement community with reliance on dining facilities for meals)
• Already consume a Mediterranean or low-fat diet
• Prohibited medications: warfarin

Participants will be randomly assigned to either a Mediterranean or low-fat diet for 1 year. The Mediterranean diet consists of fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, olive oil, seafood, and nuts. Additionally, participants will be randomized to take either 2 grams of an omega-3 fatty acid supplement or placebo. During the study, participants will track the food they eat, be monitored by a registered dietitian, and engage in monthly food demonstrations and cooking classes. They will also pick up a bag of groceries weekly for 6 months from a local grocery store. After 1 year, people may continue in the study for up to 2 years for additional measurements.

University of Kansas Medical Center

• National Institute on Aging (NIA)