Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids improve brain function and structure in older adults

verfasst von

A Veronica Witte, Lucia Kerti, Henrike M Hermannstädter, Jochen B Fiebach, Stephan J Schreiber, Jan Philipp Schuchardt, Andreas Hahn, Agnes Flöel

Abstract

Higher intake of seafish or oil rich in long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-n3-FA) may be beneficial for the aging brain. We tested in a prospective interventional design whether high levels of supplementary LC-n3-FA would improve cognition, and addressed potential mechanisms underlying the effects. Sixty-five healthy subjects (50-75 years, 30 females) successfully completed 26 weeks of either fish oil (2.2 g/day LC-n3-FA) or placebo intake. Before and after the intervention period, cognitive performance, structural neuroimaging, vascular markers, and blood parameters were assayed. We found a significant increase in executive functions after LC-n3-FA compared with placebo (P = 0.023). In parallel, LC-n3-FA exerted beneficial effects on white matter microstructural integrity and gray matter volume in frontal, temporal, parietal, and limbic areas primarily of the left hemisphere, and on carotid intima media thickness and diastolic blood pressure. Improvements in executive functions correlated positively with changes in omega-3-index and peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and negatively with changes in peripheral fasting insulin. This double-blind randomized interventional study provides first-time evidence that LC-n3-FA exert positive effects on brain functions in healthy older adults, and elucidates underlying mechanisms. Our findings suggest novel strategies to maintain cognitive functions into old age.

Organisationseinheit(en)

Institut für Lebensmittelwissenschaft und Humanernährung
Abteilung Ernährungsphysiologie und Humanernährung

Externe Organisation(en)

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Typ

Artikel

Journal

Cerebral Cortex

Band

24

Seiten

3059-3068

Anzahl der Seiten

10

ISSN

1047-3211

Publikationsdatum

11.2014

Publikationsstatus

Veröffentlicht

Peer-reviewed

Ja

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Zelluläre und Molekulare Neurowissenschaften, Kognitive Neurowissenschaft

Elektronische Version(en)

https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bht163 (Zugang: Unbekannt)