Unlocking Dietary Strategies to Combat Neurological Disorders

The acquisition of novel insights derived from the biological and genetic profiles of patients will pave the way for tailored interventions and guidance, facilitated by pioneering methodologies and investigations in research. Such advancements will lead to shifts in dietary patterns and proactively mitigate the onset of neurological disorders. The intricate interplay between diet and the gut-brain axis carries significant implications for the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases.[1] Research indicates that dietary choices wield considerable influence over the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota, which, in turn, communicates bidirectionally with the brain via neural, endocrine, and immune pathways.[2] Perturbations in the gut microbiota have been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), potentially exacerbating neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and neuronal dysfunction.[3] Conversely, dietary interventions aimed at modulating the gut microbiota, such as the consumption of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics, hold promise for mitigating disease processes and promoting brain health.[4] By fostering a balanced and diverse gut microbiome, these dietary approaches may help to alleviate neurodegenerative symptoms and even offer neuroprotective effects. As an example, polyphenols have been demonstrated to reverse and modulate inflammatory responses, as well reduction of free radicals, oxidative stress, impaired proteostasis, and cellular senescence, both in vitro and in vivo.[5-7] Pan et al. discussed in their review various available imaging methods and their potential for advancing our understanding of gut microbiota dynamics, aiming to lay the groundwork for future bio-intelligent imaging of intestinal bacteria. Ye et al. demonstrated that Stevioside mitigates prenatal obesity-induced cognitive and mood disorders (such as depression) via gut barrier restoration and inflammation inhibition in mice. Furthermore, in the innovative artificial intelligence (AI) scope, Soares Dias Portela et al. discussed how dietary factors have an impact in AD development and the possible role of AI and machine learning in the preventative care of AD patients through nutrition, emphasizing the neuroprotective role of Mediterranean-DASH diet. This special issue of the Journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research is an exciting journey into the new emerging concepts that highlight the molecular interaction between nutrition, inflammaging, and neurological disorders. It delves into the impact of nutrition, dietary choices, and molecular aspects on a broad spectrum of neurological disorders from neurodegenerative diseases to mood disorders. Finally, we would like to express our most sincere appreciation to the MNFR Editorial Board for the invitation and all contributors who participated in this special issue. Ariana Soares Dias Portela graduated with distinction from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK with an MSc in Applied Bioscience (2021) and also earned a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Porto, Portugal (2019). Ms. Soares Dias Portela is currently an Associate Researcher in the Pasinetti Lab at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York and is involved in Alzheimer's Disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis research targeting chronic inflammation. Dr. Ruth Iban-Arias received a degree in Biology (2011) from the University of Leon, in Spain before obtaining her master's in Neuroscience and Pain (2012) in Granada, in Spain. In her PhD in Experimental Medicine (2018) from the University of Crete in Greece, she characterized the pharmacological profile of two novel microneurotrophins for the prevention and arrest of retinal neurodegeneration and inflammation in a STZ-model of Diabetic Retinopathy. Currently, she is a Senior Scientist in the Neurology Department, at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where her main interests are focused on the study of the compounding neurodegenerative and inflammatory features in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, and the complex interplay between the peripheral immune and central nervous systems. Dr.Vrinda Saxena graduated from Medical school in India and did a residency in Psychiatry (2020). She comes with an expertise in clinical practice, currently spending some time in research before going back to a residency in Neurology. Dr. Saxena aspires to practice neurology and psychiatry in an integrated and holistic fashion. Sibilla Masieri graduated with a BSc in Neuroscience from Temple University (2023). Presently she is working on investigating a groundbreaking treatment for ALS via NLRP3 inhibition. Sibilla aspires to pursue a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, with keen interest in trauma. She is deeply committed to advancing the understanding of the human condition and contributing meaningfully to the field of neuroscience and psychology. Dr. Pasinetti is the Saunders Family Chair and Professor of Neurology, and Director of the Center for Molecular Integrative Neuroresilience at The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He is also Senior Career Scientist and the Director of Basic and Biomedical Research and Training Program at Geriatric Research and Clinical Center (GRECC) of the James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY. He has a strong record of successful and productive research endeavors exploring the mechanisms associated with mood disorders and neurodegenerative conditions. Over the last 30 years, the emphasis of his research has been to develop model systems of brain disorders to better understand and clarify their underlying mechanisms. These studies have allowed him to develop preventative and therapeutic approaches for neurological disorders including exploring how polyphenol metabolites interact with multiple neuropathological features in Alzheimer's disease.