05 Jul Omega-3 fatty Acid Supplementation May Benefit Mild Cognitive Impairment

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Milan Fiala, M.D.
Research Professor, UCLA Department of Surgery
Los Angeles, CA

Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Dr. Fiala: Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation is well-known to public for its health benefits in cardiovascular diseases and putative benefits against “Minor Cognitive Impairment” reported in other studies . This study shows that omega-3 protected against oxidation and resveratrol improves the immune system against amyloid-beta in the brain,  probably by increasing its clearance from the brain by the immune system. Overall the patients taking the drink seemed to preserve their memory better for up to 2 years than expected based on previous studies. However, our study was small and not controlled by a placebo, which may present a bias.  

Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Dr. Fiala: Omega-3 supplementation with the Smartfish drink used in the study has objective beneficial effect on the immune system important in prevention of Minor Cognitive Impairment. However, personal problems may interfere with the immune system response including infections, surgeries, GI intolerance, non-compliance, and personal issues like being unable to travel with omega-3 drink ( 200 ml per day). The best responses were in ApoE3/E3 patients. Some ApoE4/E3 genotype patients have good response to the drink, whereas other ApoE4 do not respond.

Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Dr. Fiala: Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation has benefits in Minor Cognitive Impairment patients but not in patients with Alzheimer dementia, thus must be started early. Our flow cytometric test of amyloid-beta phagocytosis can identify the patients who have defective immunity against amyloid-beta and need omega-3 supplementation.

Minor Cognitive Impairment is a human disease related to defective immune system against amyloid-beta. Minor Cognitive Impairment must be investigated in human immune system of human patients, which have specific biochemical defects not observed in animal models. Therapy of Minor Cognitive Impairment needs to be individually applied and immunologically monitored.

This study was supported in part by Smartfish, Oslo, Norway.

Citation:

Fiala, R. C. Halder, B. Sagong, O. Ross, J. Sayre, V. Porter, D. E. Bredesen. –3 Supplementation increases amyloid-  phagocytosis and resolvin D1 in patients with minor cognitive impairment. The FASEB Journal, 2015; DOI: 10.1096/fj.14-264218

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Milan Fiala, M.D., & Research Professor, UCLA Department of Surgery (2015). Omega-3 fatty Acid Supplementation May Benefit Mild Cognitive Impairment 

Last Updated on July 5, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD