Nutritional Risk Index for Cognitive Decline Stratification
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a significant need for methods to identify individuals predisposed to cognitive decline and to reduce or prevent cognitive decline, as existing nutritional interventions have yielded mixed results and often target the same mechanism without considering nutrient interactions.
Innovation Solution
A method using a Nutritional Risk Index (NRI) based on omega-3 fatty acid levels, vitamin D, and homocysteine levels to identify predisposition to cognitive decline, combined with interventions targeting different risk factors, such as administering omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and agents to reduce homocysteine levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If isolated nutrient administration (single nutrient interventions) is used, then the intervention is simple and easy to implement, but the effect on cognitive decline is limited and mixed results are obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple nutrients (omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, B vitamins, and other cofactors) into a single composite nutritional formulation. This merging approach allows the intervention to simultaneously address multiple pathways involved in cognitive decline (oxidative stress, inflammation, homocysteine metabolism, mitochondrial function) while maintaining ease of administration as a single supplement regimen, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplicity and effectiveness.
2Device complexity
If interventions target the same mechanism (e.g., only homocysteine reduction), then the mechanism is well-defined and easy to study, but the overall effect on cognitive decline is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex process of cognitive decline into multiple distinct pathological pathways (oxidative stress, inflammation, homocysteine accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, vascular impairment). By targeting each pathway with specific nutrients and cofactors in the composite formulation, the intervention achieves comprehensive coverage of multiple mechanisms simultaneously, thereby improving effectiveness without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite nutritional formulation that integrates multiple nutrients and cofactors (omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, B6, B12, folate, choline, zinc, magnesium, and other trace elements) that work synergistically across different biological pathways. This composite approach allows the intervention to address multiple mechanisms of cognitive decline simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between mechanism complexity and effectiveness.
3Duration of action of moving object
If long-term studies with high doses of B6, B12 and folate are conducted, then sufficient time for cognitive effects to manifest is provided, but no cognitive benefits are observed and homocysteine lowering alone is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the nutritional parameters by including not only B6, B12, and folate but also adding omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, choline, zinc, magnesium, and other trace elements at optimized doses. This parameter expansion transforms the intervention from a单一 mechanism approach to a multi-pathway approach, achieving cognitive benefits that were not obtained with B vitamin supplementation alone, even over long durations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for identifying pre-disposition to cognitive decline in a subject, the method comprising determining levels of: (a) omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D or a metabolite thereof; (b) omega-3 fatty acids, and homocysteine; (c) vitamin D or a metabolite thereof, and homocysteine; or (d) omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D or a metabolite thereof, and homocysteine, independently in one or more samples obtained from the subject.