Research Progress on the Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease with Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
10.13471/j.cnki.j.sun.yat-sen.univ（med.sci）.2025.0204
- VernacularTitle:ω-3多不饱和脂肪酸防治阿尔茨海默病的研究进展
- Author:
Chenfeng SUN
1
;
Binbin REN
2
Author Information
1. Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine， School of Rehabilitation Medicine， Zhengzhou 450046， China
2. Rehabilitation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine， Zhengzhou 450000， China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Alzheimer's disease;
omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids;
neuroprotection;
cognitive function;
non-pharmacological treatment
- From:
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences)
2025;46(2):210-220
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Alzheimer’s disease （AD） is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with aging， characterized by neurofibrillary tangles， accumulation of amyloid-β （Aβ） plaques， and neuronal death. These pathological changes lead to a gradual decline in cognitive function， ultimately impairing the ability to perform daily activities. Currently， treatment options for AD are limited， with pharmacological interventions often being ineffective and frequently accompanied by side effects. Therefore， the study of non-pharmacological therapies， especially nutritional interventions， has become particularly important. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids （ω-3PUFAs） are essential fatty acids crucial for health， primarily found in fish oil and certain plant oils. They play a key role in anti-inflammatory， antioxidant， neuroprotective， and immunomodulatory activities. Epidemiological evidence and clinical trials have shown that supplementation with ω-3PUFAs is associated with improved cognitive function， with particularly positive effects demonstrated in the use of docosahexaenoic acid （DHA） and eicosapentaenoic acid （EPA）. This article reviews the role of ω-3PUFAs in AD and the latest advances in their mechanism of action， with a particular focus on their ability to reduce brain Aβ deposition and Tau protein phosphorylation， inhibit oxidative stress and neuroinflammation， maintain the integrity of the blood-brain barrier， and regulate energy metabolism. However， current research findings remain inconsistent， especially regarding the significant differences in effects among individuals with different genotypes. Therefore， future studies need to further explore the role of ω-3PUFAs in early intervention and optimize their dosage and formulations to achieve the best neuroprotective effects. Additionally， this article provides dietary recommendations and dosage suggestions based on existing research， hoping to offer new directions for the prevention and treatment of AD.
