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Trial of the MIND diet for prevention of cognitive decline in older persons
Three-year randomised trial (n=604): a MIND diet with mild caloric restriction did not significantly beat a control diet with mild caloric restriction on change in a global cognition z-score (mean difference 0.035; 95% CI −0.022 to 0.092; P=0.23); MRI substudy outcomes did not differ.
Design
- Two-site RCT; n = 604 enrolled (301 MIND, 303 control)
- 3-year intervention; both arms received diet counselling + mild caloric restriction targeting weight loss
- Primary endpoint: change in global cognition z-score from a 12-test battery
Primary result
- Δ global cognition: +0.205 (MIND) vs +0.170 (control)
- Mean difference: 0.035 z-units (95% CI −0.022 to 0.092; P = 0.23)
- MRI substudy: no significant between-group differences in WMH, hippocampal volumes, or grey/white-matter volumes (abstract summary)
Evidence hygiene
Both groups improved—likely reflects practice effects / lifestyle counselling, not proof that MIND labels alone outperform an active dietary control under these conditions.
Publication
Barnes LL, Dhana K, Liu X, et al. N Engl J Med. 2023 Aug 17;389(7):602-611. PMID 37466280; NCT02817074.
Outcomes
- Primary cognitive endpoint null: mean between-group difference in global cognition z-score change 0.035 (95% CI −0.022 to 0.092; P=0.23) over 3 years vs control diet with matched mild caloric restriction.