Cited by 150Fatty Acid Research and HealthDementia and Cognitive Impairment ResearchAlzheimer's disease research and treatments

Omega-3 fatty acids and brain resistance to ageing and stress: body of evidence and possible mechanisms

Denis, I., Potier, B., Vancassel, S., Heberden, C., Lavialle, M.·2013·Ageing Research Reviews

Abstract

The increasing life expectancy in the populations of rich countries raises the pressing question of how the elderly can maintain their cognitive function. Cognitive decline is characterised by the loss of short-term memory due to a progressive impairment of the underlying brain cell processes. Age-related brain damage has many causes, some of which may be influenced by diet. An optimal diet may therefore be a practical way of delaying the onset of age-related cognitive decline. Nutritional investigations indicate that the ω-3 poyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content of western diets is too low to provide the brain with an optimal supply of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the main ω-3 PUFA in cell membranes. Insufficient brain DHA has been associated with memory impairment, emotional disturbances and altered brain processes in rodents. Human studies suggest that an adequate dietary intake of ω-3 PUFA can slow the age-related cognitive decline and may also protect against the risk of senile dementia. However, despite the many studies in this domain, the beneficial impact of ω-3 PUFA on brain function has only recently been linked to specific mechanisms. This review examines the hypothesis that an optimal brain DHA status, conferred by an adequate ω-3 PUFA intake, limits age-related brain damage by optimizing endogenous brain repair mechanisms. Our analysis of the abundant literature indicates that an adequate amount of DHA in the brain may limit the impact of stress, an important age-aggravating factor, and influences the neuronal and astroglial functions that govern and protect synaptic transmission. This transmission, particularly glutamatergic neurotransmission in the hippocampus, underlies memory formation. The brain DHA status also influences neurogenesis, nested in the hippocampus, which helps maintain cognitive function throughout life. Although there are still gaps in our knowledge of the way ω-3 PUFA act, the mechanistic studies reviewed here indicate that ω-3 PUFA may be a promising tool for preventing age-related brain deterioration.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.arr.2013.01.007

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  • ω-3 fatty acids have benefits for central functioning ranging from enhanced memory, mood, attention, and cognitive performance to a reduced risk of developing depression and regulation of stress sensitivity.

    “The benefits of ω-3 (n-3) fatty acids for central functioning range from enhanced memory, mood, attention, and cognitive performance to a reduced risk of developing depression and regulation of stress sensitivity (131-138).”

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Authors
Denis, I., Potier, B., Vancassel, S., Heberden, C., & Lavialle, M.
Affiliations
  • Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (FR)
  • Inserm (FR)
Corresponding author
Denis, I.
Venue
Ageing Research Reviews
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2013-03
Volume
12
Issue
2
Pages
579-594
ISSN
1568-1637 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2119356619
Cited by
150
References
260
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 3
FWCI
1.91
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Ageing Research Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • HAL (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
Keywords
omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid, brain aging, cognitive decline, stress, hippocampus, glutamatergic neurotransmission, neurogenesis, synaptic transmission, memory, senile dementia
MeSH terms
Aged, Aging, Animals, Cognition, Cognition Disorders, Docosahexaenoic Acids, Hippocampus, Humans, Memory, Short-Term, Synaptic Transmission, Stress, Physiological, Stress, Psychological, Fatty Acids, Omega-3, Neuroprotective Agents, Dietary Supplements

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