BACKGROUND: Compared to the epsilon 2 or epsilon 3 alleles, the epsilon 4 allele of apolipoprotein E (ApoE4) is associated with twice the prevalence of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). Epidemiological studies show that risk of AD varies inversely with consumption of omega-3 fatty acids from fish and seafood. Despite apparently lower fish intake in AD, pooled analysis of the literature shows that plasma and brain docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is actually the same in AD as in healthy age-matched controls. Fish oil trials in AD are also not convincing. We recently shown that ApoE4 carriers have 41% higher fasting plasma EPA and DHA compared to non-carriers, but the plasma EPA and DHA response to fish oil in ApoE4 carriers was half that seen in non-carriers.

HYPOTHESES: (i) Carriers of ApoE4 have altered metabolism of carbon-13 (13C)-DHA as well as EPA and DHA provided in a dietary supplement. (ii) A dietary supplement of EPA+DHA will improve cognitive performance but only in non-carriers of ApoE4.

OBJECTIVES: In both carriers and non-carriers of ApoE4, to compare whether- i) ApoE4 alters incorporation of 13C-DHA into plasma lipids or its beta-oxidation.

ii) 13C-DHA metabolism changes while on a dietary supplement of EPA+DHA; iii) Better cognitive performance occurs while on EPA+DHA and is linked to raising plasma EPA and/or DHA.

EXPERIMENTAL METHODS: Participants older than 50 y old and not demented were enrolled. DHA metabolism was evaluated using both 13C-DHA and an EPA+DHA supplement (2.4 g/d for 5 mo; n = 20/gp). Before and in the last month of supplementation, plasma uptake and beta-oxidation of 50 mg of 13C-DHA was followed during one month. Blood omega-3 fatty acids was evaluated monthly during the supplementation period. Cognitive testing was performed before and 4 months after starting the omega-3 fatty acid supplement.

IMPLICATIONS: This project will help explain the apparent link that is newly emerging between ApoE polymorphisms, altered omega-3 fatty acid metabolism and risk of cognitive decline, and should help in the development of nutraceutical-based clinical trials using fish oil for the elderly.

To come

Inclusion Criteria:

• MCI will be defined by Winblad et al. (33), with diagnosis confirmed by a geriatrician through neuropsychological evaluation done within the last 6 months.
• if diagnosis was done more than 6 months ago, the subject will be re-evaluated before inclusion to confirm MCI rather than conversion to AD.

Exclusion Criteria:

• tobacco
• malnutrition (assessed from blood albumin, haemoglobin and lipids)
• subjects already taking an EPA+DHA supplements
• swallowing problems, uncontrolled diabetes (raised fasting glucose, haemoglobin A1c)
• uncontrolled thyroid disease
• severe renal failure
• chronic immune condition or inflammation (raised C-reactive protein, white cell count)
• cancer
• recent major surgery or cardiac event
• uncorrected visual or hearing problems
• dementia
• ongoing or past severe drug or alcohol abuse
• psychiatric difficulties or depression as evaluated by the geriatric depression scale test (34)
• use of psychotropic medications except for short-acting benzodiazepines taken before sleep.