Abstract
Emerging evidence of brain injury on risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) have resulted in interest in therapeutic potential of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3FA). We conducted a systematic review of n-3FA therapeutic efficacy for ageing adults at risk of AD/CTE following a history of repeated head trauma. Databases for articles between 1980–June 2020 were examined for studies reporting on n-3 FAs in adults (≥ 45 years) with a history of repeated brain injury. Following an initial screen of 175 articles, 12 studies were considered but were eventually rejected, as they did not meet inclusion criteria. Our review could find no evidence to support, or disprove, effectiveness of n-3FA intervention in older adults with a history of head trauma. With animal studies showing neuro-restorative potential of n-3FA following brain injury, this review highlights the urgent need for human research in this area.
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No specific funding was provided for the completion of this study. CP is CEO and Founder of Feedback Nutrition, which sell DHA supplements in Australia. He is also Independent Director of Sea Dragon, which sells refined omega-3 oils to the global infant formula market. ELH-Y is supported by an ARC Future Fellowship (FT160100126) and an RMIT Vice Chancellor’s Senior Research Fellowship. AJP currently receives partial research salary funding from Sports Health Check charity (Australia). AJP has previously received partial research funding from the Australian Football League (AFL), Impact Technologies Inc., and Samsung Corporation. Other authors declare that they have no competing interests.
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Patch, C.S., Hill-Yardin, E.L., Ryan, L. et al. Long Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intervention in Ageing Adults at Risk of Dementia Following Repeated Head Trauma. Low-Level Support or an Opportunity for an Unanswered Question?. J Prev Alzheimers Dis 8, 29–32 (2021). https://doi.org/10.14283/jpad.2020.49
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.14283/jpad.2020.49