N3 Fatty Acids and Neurodegeneration: Is it Enough to Stop or to Shift?

A recent large intervention study has showed no effect of dietary doses of n3 fatty acids (FA) on global cognitive decline in coronary heart disease patients [1]. N3-FA, which include α-linoleic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DHA) (Figure 1), have been subject of intense investigation in the recent years for expected benefits in delaying cognitive decline. Previous epidemiological and experimental animal studies suggested that deficiency in n3-FA, in particular DHA that is one of the most represented fatty acid in the brain, accelerates cognitive decline and increases the risk of developing AD [2-7]. With the Geleijnse’s trial, is it enough to suggest stopping investigation on n3-FA in the context of cognitive decline in man?