Effect of supplementation of Alzheimer's disease patients and healthy elderly individuals with omega-3 fatty acids on plasma and erythrocyte phospholipid fatty acid composition

It has been extensively reported that low dietary fish intake and/or a decreased level of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, specifically the omega-3 series, and low docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) status have been associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The present study looks at the effects of supplementation with fish oil on the serum and erythrocyte phospholipid fatty acid levels in individuals diagnosed with AD and healthy elderly controls. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of two treatments, 300 mg or 1200 mg of omega-3 fatty acids for four months. Serum and erythrocyte total phospholipids (TPL) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) fatty acid status was determined. The results do not support a decrease in omega-3 fatty acid incorporation into serum and membrane phospholipids as the most likely reason for decreased omega-3 fatty acid status in individuals with AD.