Department of Radiology, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, California, USA.
Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, USA.
Brain Behav. 2021 Aug;11(8):e2273. doi: 10.1002/brb3.2273. Epub 2021 Jul 29.
In aging populations, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been associated with better cognitive function, slower rates of cognitive decline, and lower risk of developing dementia. Animal studies have shown that diets rich in omega-3 PUFAs reduce blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption associated with aging, but this has yet to be observed in humans. Forty-five healthy subjects (mean age, 76 years) were recruited and underwent cognitive assessment (verbal learning and memory, language, processing speed, executive function, and motor control) and measurement of PUFAs. Forty of the same subjects also underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure BBB integrity (K using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI). The long chain omega-3 score (DHA+EPA) was negatively correlated with K values in the internal capsule, indicating higher omega-3 levels were associated with greater BBB integrity in this region (r = -0.525, p = .004). Trends were observed for a positive correlation between the long chain omega-3 score and both memory and language scores, but not with executive function, speed, or motor control. The omega-6 score was not significantly correlated with any cognitive scores or K values. The significant correlations between long chain omega-3 levels and BBB integrity provide a possible mechanism by which omega-3 PUFAs are associated with brain health.
在老龄化人口中，ω-3 多不饱和脂肪酸（PUFA）与更好的认知功能、更慢的认知衰退速度和更低的痴呆风险相关。动物研究表明，富含 ω-3 PUFAs 的饮食可减少与衰老相关的血脑屏障（BBB）破坏，但这尚未在人类中观察到。招募了 45 名健康受试者（平均年龄 76 岁），并进行了认知评估（语言学习和记忆、语言、处理速度、执行功能和运动控制）和 PUFAs 测量。其中 40 名相同的受试者还接受了磁共振成像（MRI）以测量 BBB 完整性（使用动态对比增强 MRI 测量 K 值）。长链 ω-3 评分（DHA+EPA）与内囊中的 K 值呈负相关，这表明该区域 ω-3 水平越高，BBB 完整性越高（r=-0.525，p=0.004）。长链 ω-3 评分与记忆和语言评分呈正相关的趋势，但与执行功能、速度或运动控制无关。ω-6 评分与任何认知评分或 K 值均无显著相关性。长链 ω-3 水平与 BBB 完整性之间的显著相关性为 ω-3 PUFAs 与大脑健康相关提供了一种可能的机制。
