Nutrition-Based Strategies for Mood, Cognition, and Brain Health: Behavioral Pathways and Mechanisms

The role of nutrition in brain health and development is vital across all stages of life. Current research shows that dietary patterns, specific nutrients, and biologically active food components influence brain development, synapse formation, neuronal survival, and long-term neurocognitive function. Diets rich in antioxidants, polyunsaturated fats, and essential vitamins and minerals may reduce risk for cognitive decline by limiting neuroinflammation, supporting cerebral energy metabolism, and protecting neural tissue from oxidative damage. In parallel, growing interest in the gut-brain axis highlights how diet-driven changes in the intestinal microbiome can affect brain-body communication, neuroimmune signaling, and cognitive and emotional outcomes. As neurological and mental health burdens rise, clarifying how nutrition relates to mood, cognition, and brain function is increasingly important for public health.Despite established links between nutrition and brain health, a gap remains between scientific knowledge and effective prevention or management strategies. Many studies focus on isolated nutrients without adequately integrating overall dietary patterns, psychological and behavioral factors (e.g., stress, motivation, adherence, food choice), underlying mechanisms, or population differences. In addition, variability in study designs, cognitive/psychological outcome measures, and biomarker selection complicates synthesis and limits translation into consistent, evidence-based recommendations for cognitive wellbeing and mental health.This Research Topic aims to bring together multidisciplinary research on how nutrient intake, dietary patterns, and nutrition-related interventions influence brain health through psychological, behavioral, and neurobiological pathways. We particularly welcome studies assessing psychological and behavioral outcomes (e.g., mood, emotion regulation, stress, cognition, decision-making, eating behavior) alongside mechanistic insights - including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and microbiome-mediated processes - to identify nutritional strategies with measurable real-world impact.To gather further insights, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Impacts of dietary patterns on mood, cognition, and brain function across neurodevelopment and aging- Roles of micronutrients, bioactives, nutraceuticals, and supplements in neurocognitive and mental wellbeing outcomes- Nutrition, the gut–brain axis, and neuroimmune pathways relevant to cognition and emotional regulation- Dietary modulation of neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial function in relation to cognitive and psychological endpoints- Feeding behavior, food choice/decision-making, reward processing, and habit learning as pathways linking diet to brain health- Development and evaluation of personalized nutrition strategies for cognition, mood, and related functional outcomes (including behavioral moderators such as adherence)- Nutrition-based approaches targeting cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms and functional outcomes in neurodegenerative disorders- Identification and validation of biomarkers linking nutritional status to cognitive and psychological outcomes. Topic editors: Dr Prithviraj Karak, Krishnendu Adhikary, Pradipta Banerjee Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77912/nutrition-based-strategies-for-mood-cognition-and-brain-health-behavioral-pathways-and-mechanisms