Lee Swanson Research Update

Scientists Connect DHA to Warding off Symptoms of Parkinson's

December 2007

Scientists have linked the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to yet another brain-health application, this one for Parkinson's disease.

In a study on mice—to be published in the April 2008 edition of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal—researchers from Universite Laval in Canada claim to have demonstrated a protective effect of a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids on the neurodegenerative disease.

The research team says its findings could help prevent the disease and potentially slow down its progression. They found that when mice were fed an omega-rich diet, they seemed to be immune to the effect of the toxic compound MPTP that causes the same damage to the brain as Parkinson's. Parkinson's disease is characterized by the death or impairment of neurons in the brain that produce the chemical dopamine, which is responsible for the coordination of muscles and movement.

"This compound (MPTP), which has been used for more than 20 years in Parkinson's research, works faster than the disease itself and is just as effective in targeting and destroying the dopamine-producing neurons in the brain," said researcher Frederic Calon.

Subsequently, the group of mice fed an ordinary diet developed symptoms of the disease when injected with MPTP. This included a 31% drop in dopamine-producing neurons and a 50% decrease in dopamine.

According to researchers, among the mice that had been given omega-3 supplementation—in particular DHA—omega-3 fatty acids replaced the omega-6 fatty acids in their brains. Due to the fact concentrations of other omega-3s had maintained levels in both groups of mice, the researchers suggested the protective effect against Parkinson's came from DHA. "This demonstrates both the importance of diet on the brain's fatty acid composition and the brain's natural inclination for omega-3 fatty acids," said Calon.

"In North America, the average intake of DHA is between 60 to 80 mg a day, while experts recommend a daily minimum of 250 mg," Calon noted. "Our results suggest that this DHA deficiency is a risk factor for developing Parkinson's disease, and that we would benefit from evaluating omega-3's potential for preventing and treating this disease in humans."

Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology: Published online ahead of print close window

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