Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Improve Cognitive Flexibility Of Older Adults At Risk Of Late-Onset Dementia, Study Suggests

A new research discovered that older adults at risk of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, who consume more amounts of omega-3 fatty acids showed better cognitive flexibility than those who have lesser intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Cognitive flexibility is the ability to change tasks abruptly, but still producing efficient results. This is regulated by the anterior cingulate cortex, and the bigger this area is, the better an individual's cognitive flexibility is said to be.

The study published in the journal Frontiers in Ageing Neuroscience suggested that two types of omega-3 fatty acids, called the DHA and EPA found in fish, can boost the anterior cingulate cortex and subsequently results in better cognitive flexibility. It was performed by testing the cognitive abilities of 40 healthy adults aged 65-75 years old, including the levels of EPA and DHA in the body and the image of their brain as per Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI. All of the participants were carriers of a gene variant (APOE e4), predisposing factor for developing late-onset Alzheimer's disease.

"Recent research suggests that there is a critical link between nutritional deficiencies and the incidence of both cognitive impairment and degenerative neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease," Aron Barbey, study leader and professor of neuroscience, psychology, speech and hearing science in the University of Illinois said. "Our findings add to the evidence that optimal nutrition helps preserve cognitive function, slow the progression of aging and reduce the incidence of debilitating diseases in healthy aging populations."

Together with Marta Zamroziewicz, M.D./Ph.D. student, the research team delved into the components of brain ageing that are sometimes not given emphasis. Numerous studies focused on memory decline in ageing, but the executive functions of older adults were also found to contribute to the quality of their overall daily activities, Zamroziewicz said. Executive functions refer to the ability to plan, process, pay attention, control impulses, solve problems and switch tasks.

"There's been some work to show that omega-3 fatty acids benefit cognitive flexibility and there's also been work showing that cognitive flexibility is linked to this specific brain region, the anterior cingulate," Zamroziewicz said. "But there's been very little work actually connecting these pieces."

The research team initially aimed to see the relationship between increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids and cognitive flexibility and indeed found it. Their aim of seeking a link between omega-3 fatty acids and the size of the anterior cingulate cortex was also discovered. Lastly, the team was able to showcase that the link between omega-3 fatty acids and cognitive flexibility was an influence to the large size of the anterior cingulate cortex, Zamroziewicz closed.

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