Fatty acids help the brain

A study involving 99 healthy older adults found that levels of monounsaturated fatty acids were associated with cognitive performance and the organization of the brain's attention network.

MUFAs are found in olive oils, nuts and avocados, and are a component of the Mediterranean diet, which has been associated with slower cognitive decline and lower dementia risk.

The study found that general intelligence was associated with how efficiently the dorsal attention network was functionally organized used a measure called small-world propensity, which describes how well the neural network is connected within locally clustered regions as well as across globally integrated systems.

In turn, they found that those with higher levels of MUFAs in their blood had greater small-world propensity in their dorsal attention network, suggesting that this is part of the reason for the link between diet and cognition.

And in another study by the same researchers, involving 94 older adults (65-75), blood levels of three omega-3 fatty acids (ALA, stearidonic acid and ecosatrienoic acid) were associated with levels of fluid intelligence, and this was mediated by the size of the left frontoparietal cortex. A larger left frontoparietal cortex was associated with higher levels of the omega-3 acids and better performance on tests of fluid intelligence.

A second study found that the size of a brain region called the fornix was associated with a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the blood, and a more robust fornix was linked to better memory. The fornix is one of the first brain regions to be compromised in Alzheimer's disease.

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-09/uoia-nhb090717.phphttps://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-05/uoia-slh051817.php

Reference: 

Zamroziewicz, M. K., Talukdar, M. T., Zwilling, C. E., & Barbey, A. K. (2017). Nutritional status, brain network organization, and general intelligence. NeuroImage, 161, 241–250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.08.043

Zamroziewicz Marta K.,Paul Erick J.,Zwilling Chris E., et al. Predictors of Memory in Healthy Aging: Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Balance and Fornix White Matter Integrity[J]. Aging and disease, 2017, 8(4): 372-383. http://www.aginganddisease.org/EN/10.14336/AD.2017.0501

Related News

Teenage physical activity reduces risk of cognitive impairment later

A large longitudinal study, comparing physical activity at teenage, age 30, age 50, and late life against cognition of 9,344 women, has revealed that women who are physically active at any point have a lower risk of cognitive impairment in late-life compared to those who are inactive, but teenage
Abdominal fat at middle age associated with greater risk of dementia

A study involving 733 participants from the Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort (average age 60) provides more evidence that excess abdominal fat places otherwise healthy, middle-aged people at greater risk for dementia later in life.
Looking after a spouse with dementia greatly increases your own risk of dementia

A 12-year study involving 1,221 married couples ages 65 or older (part of the Cache County (Utah) Memory Study) has revealed that husbands or wives who care for spouses with dementia are six times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s themselves than those whose spouses don't have it.
Alzheimer's expressed differently in carriers and noncarriers of the Alzheimer’s gene

A comprehensive study reveals how the ‘Alzheimer's gene’ (APOE ε4) affects the nature of the disease. It is not simply that those with the gene variant tend to be more impaired (in terms of both memory loss and brain damage) than those without.
Animal studies indicate caffeine may slow dementia and cognitive decline but human studies less conclusive

A special supplement in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease focuses on the effects of caffeine on dementia and age-related cognitive decline. Here are the highlights:
Extending lifespan has mixed effects on learning and memory

Studies on the roundworm C. elegans have revealed that the molecules required for learning and memory are the same from C.
Promise of drug therapy for age-related memory loss

Although research has so far been confined to mouse studies, researchers are optimistic about the promise of histone deacetylase inhibitors in reversing age-related memory loss — both normal decline, and the far more dramatic loss produced by Alzheimer’s.
Test of implantable cardioverter defibrillator linked to cognitive problems

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a small electronic device that monitors and regulates heartbeat, and many have been implanted in patients — an estimated 114,000 in the U.S. in 2006.
Smoking may counteract benefit of moderate drinking on stroke risk

A 12-year study following the drinking and smoking habits of 22,524 people aged 39-79 has found that in non-smokers, people who consumed moderate amounts of alcohol were 37% less likely to develop stroke than non-drinkers. This association was not found among smokers.
Why older adults remember the good times better

An imaging study reveals why older adults are better at remembering positive events.

Pages

more
Subscribe to Latest newsSubscribe to Latest newsSubscribe to Latest health newsSubscribe to Latest news