Low levels of omega-3 fatty acid may contribute to Alzheimer’s

October, 2010

A finding that the livers of Alzheimer’s patients have an impaired ability to make the omega-3 fatty acid DHA may suggest a new approach.

Low levels of DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, have been found in the brains of those with Alzheimer's disease, but the reason has not been known. A new study has found that lower levels of DHA in the liver (where most brain DHA is manufactured) were correlated with greater cognitive problems in the Alzheimer’s patients. Moreover, comparison of postmortem livers from Alzheimer’s patients and controls found reduced expression of a protein that converts a precursor acid into DHA, meaning the liver was less able to make DHA from food.

The findings may explain why clinical trials in which Alzheimer's patients are given omega-3 fatty acids have had mixed results. They also suggest that it might be possible to identify at-risk persons using specific blood tests, and perhaps delay the development of Alzheimer’s with a chemically enhanced form of DHA.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-09/uoc--ldl090810.php

Reference: 

[1885] Astarita, G., Jung K-M., Berchtold N. C., Nguyen V. Q., Gillen D. L., Head E., et al.
(2010).  Deficient Liver Biosynthesis of Docosahexaenoic Acid Correlates with Cognitive Impairment in Alzheimer's Disease.
PLoS ONE. 5(9), e12538 - e12538.

Related News

Multimorbidity score linked to cognitive decline

Data from more than 14,265 people older adults (51+) multiple times over a decade or more through the University of Michigan Health and Retirement Study has found that people with higher “multimorbidity scores” showed much faster cognitive decline than those with lower scores, even though most o
Is there really a level at which alcohol benefits cognition?

Large study shows level of beneficial alcohol consumption much lower than thought
Belly fat in older adults linked with cognitive impairment

Data from over 5,000 individuals found that a measure of belly fat (waist:hip ratio) was associated with reduced cognitive function in older Irish adults (60+). Body mass index (BMI), however, was found to protect cognitive function.
Nutrients linked to better brain connectivity, cognition in older adults

A study involving 116 healthy older adults (65-75) has found that higher levels of several key nutrients in the blood were associated with more efficient brain connectivity and better cognitive performance.
Diet quality in midlife not associated with dementia risk

A long-running study involving 8225 adults found that self-reported diet during midlife (mean age 50) was not significantly associated with subsequent risk for dementia.
Older people less apt to recognize they've made a mistake

A small study comparing 38 younger adults (average age 22) and 39 older adults (average age 68) found that the older adults were less able to recognize when they made errors.
Does mental stimulation help fight age-related cognitive decline?

Can computer use, crafts and games slow or prevent age-related memory loss?
Education & IQ linked to later cognitive decline & dementia

Americans with a college education live longer without dementia and Alzheimer's
Low social engagement linked to cognitive decline & dementia risk

Socially active 60-year-olds face lower dementia risk
Stress in midlife affects cognitive decline later in life

Stressors in middle age linked to cognitive decline in older women

Data from some 900 older adults has linked stressful life experiences among middle-aged women, but not men, to greater memory decline in later life.

Pages

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