Table 2 Modulation of learning and memory and depressive behaviour by diet

Caloric/dietary restriction

Enhanced spatial learning in aged rats

Rat

[104]

Enhanced cognitive performance in females only

Rat

[74]

Increased learning and motor performance

Mouse

[40]

Increased learning consolidation

Mouse

[28]

Omega 3 fatty acids

Improved (EPA)

Human

[42]

Delayed onset of depressive periods

Human (bipolar)

[106]

Decreased

Human (bipolar)

[89]

No benefit 6 g/day EPA

Human (bipolar)

[47]

Improvement with 1 g/day EPA

Human (bipolar)

[30]

Various effects with various concentrations of various fatty acids

Human

For review: [5]

Improved spatial memory

Mouse Alzheimer model

[38]

Improved acquisition and retention in a T-maze foot shock avoidance test

Mouse Senescence-Accelerated

[92]

Flavonoids

Improved

Rat

[18]

Improved

For review: [119]

Blueberry

Increased spatial memory

Rat

[122]

Polyphenol/flavonoids/berry

Positive impact

Various animals

For review: [123]

Improved

Rat

[78]

Curcumin

Improved cognitive performance

Human

[83]

Retinoic acid excess

Increased

Mouse adult

[86]

Vitamin A/retinoid deficiency

Impaired spatial learning and memory

Rat adult

[13]

Impaired relational memory

Mouse adult

[25]

Zinc

Improved

Rodents

For review: [108]

Improved

Human

For review: [108]

Improved

Human

[85]

High fat

Decreased spatial learning

Rat

[80]

Decreased learning and memory and Increased risk for dementia

Rat

[124]

High sugar

Impaired spatial learning

Rat

[107]

Low glucose (extracellular)

Impaired memory

Rat aged

[34]

Soft diet

Impairment of learning ability and memory

Rat Alzheimer model

[59]

Caffeine

Improved object recognition

Mouse

[15]

Reduced risk

Human

[101]

Ethanol

Improved associative learning with moderate chronic consumption

Mouse male

[94]

Deficits

Human

[91]