Omega-3 Blood Biomarkers Relate to Brain Glucose Uptake in Individuals at Risk of Alzheimer's Disease Dementia

Overview

Journal Alzheimers Dement (Amst)

Date 2024 Jul 8

PMID 38974876

Authors

Iolanda Lazaro

Oriol Grau-Rivera

Marc Suarez-Calvet

Karine Fauria

Carolina Minguillon

Mahnaz Shekari

Carles Falcon

Marina Garcia-Prat

Jordi Huguet

Jose Luis Molinuevo

Juan-Domingo Gispert

Aleix Sala-Vila

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: Brain glucose hypometabolism is a preclinical feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Dietary omega-3 fatty acids promote brain glucose metabolism, but clinical research is incipient. Circulating omega-3s objectively reflect their dietary intake.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in 320 cognitively unimpaired participants at increased risk of AD dementia. Using lipidomics, we determined blood docosahexaenoic (DHA) and alpha-linolenic (ALA) acid levels (omega-3s from marine and plant origin, respectively). We assessed brain glucose metabolism using [18-F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET).

Results: Blood ALA directly related to FDG uptake in brain areas known to be affected in AD. Stronger associations were observed in apolipoprotein E ε4 carriers and homozygotes. For DHA, significant direct associations were restricted to amyloid beta-positive tau-positive participants.

Discussion: Blood omega-3 directly relate to preserved glucose metabolism in AD-vulnerable brain regions in individuals at increased risk of AD dementia. This adds to the benefits of omega-3 supplementation in the preclinical stage of AD dementia.

Highlights: Blood omega-3s were related to brain glucose uptake in participants at risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia.Complementary associations were observed for omega-3 from marine and plant sources.Foods rich in omega-3 might be useful in early features of AD.

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