Mediterranean diet score is associated with cognition among persons with MS, according to a study scheduled for presentation at the 2023 American Academy of Neurology annual meeting. Ilana Katz Sand, MD, and colleagues examined relationships between the Mediterranean diet score and cognitive outcomes in 563 persons with MS. Participants completed the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) and a cognitive battery composed of the Symbol Digit Modalities Test, Hopkins Verbal Learning Test, Revised, and CANTAB Paired Associate Learning. A composite z score was calculated by averaging normative z scores. Better cognition was independently predicted by
higher MEDAS (B=0.08; β=0.20). Overall, 108 patients (19.2%) had cognitive impairment. Higher MEDAS independently predicted a lower risk for cognitive impairment (OR, 0.80). The best health-related predictor of cognitive z score and cognition impairment was MEDAS. Persons with progressive versus relapsing disease had a stronger relationship between diet and cognition.
