Role of fatty acids intake in maintaining adequate cognitive

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Currently available epidemiological evidence suggested that an increase of saturated fatty acids (SFA) could have negative effects on cognitive functions, while increased polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) may be protective against cognitive decline. In a Southern Italian elderly population from the Italian Longitudinal Study on Aging (ILSA), a clear reduction of risk of age-related cognitive decline (ARCD) has been found with elevated intake of PUFA and MUFA. Furthermore, in the ILSA, while dietary fatty acids intakes were not associated with incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI), high PUFA intake appeared to have borderline non-significant trend for a protective effect against the development of MCI. These epidemiological findings on predementia syndromes, i.e. MCI or ARCD, together with a recent randomised controlled trial on a possible effect on cognitive and depressive symptoms of omega-3 PUFA supplementation in patients with very mild AD, suggested a possible role of fatty acids intake in maintaining adequate cognitive functioning and possibly in preventing or delaying the onset of dementia. ..J Nutr Health Aging. 2008 Jun-Jul;12(6):382-6

Lifestyle and vascular factors have been linked to dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the role of dietary fats in the development of dementia is less clear. In this study the participants were derived from random, population-based samples initially studied in midlife (1972, 1977, 1982, or 1987). Fat intake from spreads and milk products was assessed using a structured questionnaire and an interview. After an average follow-up of 21 years, a total of 1,449 (73%) individuals aged 65-80 years participated in the re-examination in 1998. Altogether 117 persons had dementia. Moderate intake of polyunsaturated fats at midlife decreased the risk of dementia even after adjustment for demographic variables, other subtypes of fats, vascular risk factors and disorders, and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotype (OR 0.40, CI 0.17-0.94 for the 2nd quartile vs. 1st quartile), whereas saturated fat intake was associated with an increased risk (OR 2.45, CI 1.10-5.47 for the 2nd quartile). The associations were seen only among the ApoE epsilon4 carriers.

CONCLUSIONS: Moderate intake of unsaturated fats at midlife is protective, whereas a moderate intake of saturated fats may increase the risk of dementia and AD, especially among ApoE epsilon4 carriers. Thus, dietary interventions may potentially modify the risk of dementia, particularly among genetically susceptible individuals. ...Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2006;22(1):99-107. Epub 2006 May 19