Pregnancy as a window of opportunity for dementia prevention: a narrative review

ABSTRACT

Dementia is a debilitating condition with a disproportionate impact on women. While sex differences in longevity contribute to the disparity, the role of the female sex as a biological variable in disease progression is not yet fully elucidated. Metabolic dysfunctions are drivers of dementia etiology, and cardiometabolic diseases are among the most influential modifiable risk factors. Pregnancy is a time of enhanced vulnerability for metabolic disorders. Many dementia risk factors, such as hypertension or blood glucose dysregulation, often emerge for the first time in pregnancy. While such cardiometabolic complications in pregnancy pose a risk to the health trajectory of a woman, increasing her odds of developing type 2 diabetes or chronic hypertension, it is not fully understood how this relates to her risk for dementia. Furthermore, structural and functional changes in the maternal brain have been reported during pregnancy suggesting it is a time of neuroplasticity for the mother. Therefore, pregnancy may be a window of opportunity to optimize metabolic health and support the maternal brain. Healthy dietary patterns are known to reduce the risk of cardiometabolic diseases and have been linked to dementia prevention, yet interventions targeting cognitive function in late life have largely been unsuccessful. Earlier interventions are needed to address the underlying metabolic dysfunctions and potentially reduce the risk of dementia, and pregnancy offers an ideal opportunity to intervene. This review discusses current evidence regarding maternal brain health and the potential window of opportunity in pregnancy to use diet to address neurological health disparities for women.

KEYWORDS:

• Pregnancy
• brain/physiology
• pregnancy outcome
• dementia
• diet
• nutritional sciences
• women's health
• prevention

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

There are no data associated with this review.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Lauren K. Hand

Lauren K. Hand is a registered dietitian and adjunct professor of Dietetics and Nutrition.

Matthew K. Taylor

Matthew K. Taylor is a registered dietitian and assistant professor of Dietetics and Nutrition with a research focus on the impact of nutrition on brain aging and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Debra K. Sullivan

Debra K. Sullivan is the chair of the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition at the University of Kansas Medical Center whose research areas include how dietary intake influences the aging brain.

Catherine F. Siengsukon

Catherine F. Siengsukon is a professor of Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, and Athletic training whose research includes understanding how sleep impacts function, learning, and overall health within aging and neurological conditions.

Jill K. Morris

Jill K. Morris is an assistant professor of Neurology whose research is focused on the differences in systematic and brain energy metabolism in cognitively healthy aging and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Laura E. Martin

Laura E. Martin is an associate professor of Population Health and Director of the Cognitive Neuroscience Unit at Hoglund Biomedical Imagine Center at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Holly R. Hull

Holly R. Hull is a professor of Dietetics and Nutrition whose research explores the impact of the maternal environment on the health of mothers and their children.