Blood-Brain Barrier Finding Means Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Help Treat Alzheimer’s

Swedish research finds that omega-3 fatty acids in dietary supplements can cross the blood-brain barrier in people with Alzheimer's disease, affecting known markers for both the disease itself and inflammation. Earlier studies found evidence that omega-3 fatty acids protect the brain from Alzheimer’s, but the new findings strengthen the argument that omega-3s may benefit patients with certain forms of the seriously debilitating disease. Thirty-three patients participated in the study: 18 received a daily supplement; 15 received a placebo for six months. The results show that the omega-3 group – but not the placebo group – had higher levels of both DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, another omega-3 fatty acid) in their cerebrospinal fluid and blood.