Background:
Dementia prevalence has increased worldwide with no effective treatment available¹. Dietary patterns are known to protect against dementia risk^2,3. MIND diet is a hybrid of the Mediterranean and DASH diets and have been shown to reduce cognitive decline and dementia occurrence^4,5.

Aim:
We investigated for the first time the effect of MIND diet on cognitive function in dementia development in Greek elderly population.

Methods:
The study consisted of 218 older adults referred to Alzheimer’s Disease center, divided in 2 group, 1 with a suspicion of dementia and 1 without dementia. Participants were categorized according ICD11 into: healthy subjects, mild mental disorders, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Cognitive impairment was measured using the Mini-Mental State-Examination (MMSE). Functional-Cognitive Assessment Scale (FUCAS) was administered to evaluate executive function affecting the execution of daily life activities. Dietary habits were assessed using the MIND Diet Food Frequency Questionnaire. Emotions were evaluated using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS21). Weight and height were measured by standard procedures. Statistical analysis was conducted with the R programming language and a logistic regression model was applied to predict the development of dementia.

Results and Discussion:
In group 1 n=127 participants (86 women) were assigned, with mean age of 72±7.56 years and with a BMI range of 28.2±4.62. Whether in group 2 n=91 participants (59 women) were assigned, with mean age of 70.42±4.65 years and with a BMI range of 26.72±3.14. Preliminary analysis suggests that the MIND diet could be a possible measure against cognitive impairment and prevention of cognitive decline in the Greek elderly. Anxiety seems to be correlated and affect female gender, indicating that gender-related interventions should be explored further.