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Can nut intake improve cognitive performance in older adults?

Description 
Cognitive decline is a major health and social issue, as it negatively affects quality of life of older adults, and increases risk of dementia (such as Alzheimer’s disease), illness and mortality. Vascular burden is the greatest determinant of late-life cognition, and thus dietary strategies to improve cardiovascular health are pursued in order to mitigate age-associated cognitive decline and dementia. Nuts present a unique nutritional composition, with optimal fatty acid profile, high concentration of fibers, B-vitamins, minerals and antioxidant compounds, and have been associated with reduced cardiovascular risk and improvement of glycaemic control, factors tightly associated with the maintenance of brain health across the lifespan. This project aims to determine if the consumption of nuts improves cognitive performance in older adults at high risk of dementia.
Essential criteria: 
Minimum entry requirements can be found here: https://www.monash.edu/admissions/entry-requirements/minimum
Keywords 
nutrition; vascular health; dementia; cognitive performance
School 
School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health / Hudson Institute of Medical Research » Nutrition, Dietetics & Food
Available options 
PhD/Doctorate
Honours
BMedSc(Hons)
Time commitment 
Full-time
Top-up scholarship funding available 
No
Physical location 
BASE facility, Notting Hill
Co-supervisors 
Prof 
Gary Williamson

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