Swedish team: Omega-3 fatty acids cross blood-brain barrier for possible Alzheimer's treatment

Researchers at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have shown that omega-3 fatty acids can cross the blood-brain barrier in a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Previous research has shown lower concentrations of the fatty acid in Alzheimer's patients' brains, and replacing them could lead to an effective treatment, the scientists think. But until this study, published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, delivering the supplement to the brain past the blood-brain barrier was undocumented. "In animals, DHA dietary supplements can lead to an increase in DHA concentrations in the CNS," said lead researcher Jan Palmblad in a statement. "Here we show that the same applies to humans, which suggests that omega-3 fatty acids in dietary supplements cross the blood-brain barrier. However, much work remains to be done before we know how these fatty acids can be used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease to halt memory loss." More | Abstract