Plasma long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and atrophy of the medial temporal lobe

C. Samieri, P. Maillard, F. Crivello, C. Proust-Lima, E. Peuchant, C. Helmer, H. Amieva, M. Allard, J.-F. Dartigues, S. C. Cunnane, B. M. Mazoyer, P. Barberger-Gateau
Neurology. 2012-08-01; 79(7): 642-650
DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e318264e394

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1. Neurology. 2012 Aug 14;79(7):642-50. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e318264e394. Epub 2012
Aug 1.

Plasma long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and atrophy of the medial temporal lobe.

Samieri C(1), Maillard P, Crivello F, Proust-Lima C, Peuchant E, Helmer C, Amieva
H, Allard M, Dartigues JF, Cunnane SC, Mazoyer BM, Barberger-Gateau P.

Author information:
(1)Epidemiologie de la nutrition et des comportements alimentaires, Centre INSERM
U897-Epidemiologie-Biostatistique, Bordeaux, France.

OBJECTIVE: The long-chain ω-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are potential candidates for interventions to delay
Alzheimer disease (AD), but evidence from clinical studies is mixed. We aimed at
determining whether plasma levels of EPA or DHA predict atrophy of medial
temporal lobe (MTL) gray matter regions in older subjects.
METHODS: A total of 281 community dwellers from the Three-City Study, aged 65
years or older, had plasma fatty acid measurements at baseline and underwent MRI
examinations at baseline and at 4 years. We studied the association between
plasma EPA and DHA and MTL gray matter volume change at 4 years.
RESULTS: Higher plasma EPA, but not DHA, was associated with lower gray matter
atrophy of the right hippocampal/parahippocampal area and of the right amygdala
(p < 0.05, familywise error corrected). Based on a mean right amygdala volume
loss of 6.0 mm(3)/y (0.6%), a 1 SD higher plasma EPA (+0.64% of total plasma
fatty acids) at baseline was related to a 1.3 mm(3) smaller gray matter loss per
year in the right amygdala. Higher atrophy of the right amygdala was associated
with greater 4-year decline in semantic memory performances and more depressive
symptoms.
CONCLUSION: The amygdala, which develops neuropathology in the early stage of AD
and is involved in the pathogenesis of depression, may be an important brain
structure involved in the association between EPA and cognitive decline and
depressive symptoms.

DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e318264e394
PMID: 22855869 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

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