Andreia Alexandra Mesquita Conceição

Mrs. Andreia Alexandra Mesquita Conceição


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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15 November 2025 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ACAndreia Alexandra Mesquita Conceição
Andreia Alexandra Mesquita Conceição
DSDaniela Marques de Sousa
Daniela Marques de Sousa
PPPatrícia Padrão
Patrícia Padrão
ACAna Rute Costa
Ana Rute Costa
Pedro MoreiraPedro Moreira
Pedro Moreira
Introduction: The Mediterranean diet (MD) has been linked to better cognition, but evidence in older adults at high dementia risk is limited. Moreover, the traditional Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) counts daily wine consumption as a beneficial component, which may distort genuine diet–cognition relationships. Objective: Evaluate whether MD adherence, as measured with the original MEDAS (MEDAS-O) versus a version that reverses the wine item (MEDAS-R), is associated with cognitive function in Portuguese adults aged 55–85 years at increased dementia risk. Methodology: The sample comprised 75 participants from the NUTRIMIND randomised controlled trial (mean age 70.5 ± 7.0 years). MD adherence was evaluated using the original version of MEDAS (MEDAS-O) and an adapted version with a reverse score in the wine question (MEDAS-R). Cognitive function was assessed via the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised (ACE-R) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Statistical analysis was performed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) models adjusted for age, sex, BMI, education, and physical activity. Results: MEDAS-R was positively associated with better MMSE performance (p = 0.043) and showed a borderline association with the MoCA (p = 0.051), but not with the ACE-R score (p = 0.356). No association was found between MEDAS-O and cognitive function. Better cognitive scores were more frequently observed among participants with higher education (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Reversing the wine item changes how MEDAS relates to cognitive function. These findings support re-evaluating how wine is scored in MD adherence measures.