This research is one-of-a-kind. According to the researchers, this is the first study to collect data on these new biomarkers in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Omega-3 fatty acids can help avoid the memory-busting effects of Alzheimer’s. A group of Swedish scientists established that victims of this disease who took the said supplements daily noticed that their dynamics in memory tests were stable compared to those who did not consume them.

Researchers from the Karolinska Institute, Sahlgrenska University Hospital and Uppsala University, all based in Sweden, examined 33 individuals with mild or moderate Alzheimer’s symptoms. Of this group, 18 people took omega-3 supplements in the morning and evening, while the other 15 (the control group) did not.

The study authors took samples of cerebrospinal fluid that may contain biomarkers of this disease. In addition, they offered the participants a memory test at the beginning of the study, as well as six months later. Although the liquid samples did not show a significant change, the test results turned out to be different.

“We can see that the memory function of the patients in the group that had taken omega-3 is stable, whereas the patients in the control group have deteriorated. That’s what the memory tests show,” says Yvonne Freund-Levi.

“But we can’t see any differences between the groups when we look at the various biomarkers in the spinal fluid samples.”

At the same time, the scientists found some biological differences within the group that took omega-3 fatty acids. Indicators for two markers linked to damaged nerve cells increased after six months of taking daily supplements. However, these are not directly related to memory performance, the team emphasized.

“Even if this data isn’t enough for us to change our recommendations to patients at this time, it is an interesting material for researchers to build on.”

The benefit of fish oil for the brain

Another 2017 study conducted by Freund-Levi 15 years ago is based on an examination of 200 patients with Alzheimer’s. It recorded transfers of omega-3s from the supplements to the brain after ingestion.

“We are cautious about giving recommendations, but we know that starting early is by far the best thing – it is difficult to influence the disease at a later stage. The best piece of advice we have to offer at the moment is to be physically active and to include omega-3 in your diet – in the form of oily fish or as supplements. We can see a difference in the results of the memory tests. Patients who were taking omega-3 supplements at an early stage of the disease scored better,” says Yvonne Freund-Levi, researcher in neuroscience at Örebro University.

Freund-Levi confirmed that patients who took omega-3 supplements early in the disease performed better on the memory test.

The results of the study were published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

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