With the increasing number of senior citizens in our society and the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases, the aging of the population has become a key public health issue. The causes of neurodegenerative diseases related to aging are still not well known. Diet, in particular fat intake, an environmental factor to which individuals are exposed for their whole lives, is one of the avenues currently being explored.

The ALICE joint technological unit is conducts a research programme that aims to allow communication on the nutritional function of lipidic or liposoluble nutrients that are naturally present in oil-producing, plant or marine raw materials, with respect to the cognitive and emotional condition of adults. The aim is to provide manufacturers with scientific arguments aimed at orienting their innovation, thereby allowing them to use fats to develop food or dietary supplements with guaranteed or optimised lipidic nutrient or liposoluble content, targeting the prevention of cognitive or emotional deficiencies that appear with aging (cognitive impairments and mood disorders).

With a double approach on animals and humans, the joint technical unit's scientific programme is divided into two parts:

The use of nutritional claims for foods with high levels of n-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids (AGPI n-3) and/or liposoluble micronutrients (vitamins A and D, for example).

The study of new sources of lipidic nutrients with potential benefits for brain function.