Impact of Omega-3 Supplementation on White Matter Lesions and Neuronal Integrity
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Reviewed & Translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on October 4th, 2024
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Individuals with white matter lesions are at an elevated risk for dementia, cognitive decline, and Alzheimer’s disease. Previous research has indicated that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, can help reduce inflammation and the progression of white matter lesions. To explore whether omega-3 supplementation could prevent white matter loss and mitigate the risk of neuronal integrity breakdown, a study was conducted.
The clinical trial involved 102 participants with an average age of 81, all of whom were cognitively intact or exhibited only mild cognitive impairment, as indicated by a clinical dementia rating below 0.5. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either an omega-3 supplement containing 975 mg of EPA and 650 mg of DHA or a placebo made of soybean oil. White matter density was measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and whole-brain diffusion tensor imaging was employed to assess neuronal connectivity via fractional anisotropy. After 3 years of treatment, the researchers found that omega-3 supplementation did not significantly reduce the risk of white matter lesions or neuronal integrity breakdown.
The clinical trial involved 102 participants with an average age of 81, all of whom were cognitively intact or exhibited only mild cognitive impairment, as indicated by a clinical dementia rating below 0.5. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either an omega-3 supplement containing 975 mg of EPA and 650 mg of DHA or a placebo made of soybean oil. White matter density was measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and whole-brain diffusion tensor imaging was employed to assess neuronal connectivity via fractional anisotropy. After 3 years of treatment, the researchers found that omega-3 supplementation did not significantly reduce the risk of white matter lesions or neuronal integrity breakdown.