Researchers discovered that women Alzheimer’s The disease shows a striking drop in omega-3 fatty acids compared to healthy women, a difference that is not found in men.
This specific lipid imbalance could help explain why women are more often diagnosed with the disease.
Omega and Alzheimer’s fatty acids
Omega fatty acids could protect itself from Alzheimer’s disease in women, new research has revealed.
Lipid analysis – fat molecules which fulfill many essential functions in the body – in the blood revealed that there was a significant loss of unsaturated fats, such as those which contain omega fatty acids, in the blood of women with Alzheimer’s disease compared to healthy women.
Scientists have found no significant difference in the same composition of lipid molecules in men suffering from Alzheimer’s disease in relation to healthy men, which suggests that these lipids have a different role in gender disease. Fats play an important role in maintaining a healthy brain, so this study could indicate why more women are diagnosed with the disease.
First study to reveal sex -based lipid roles
The study, published on August 20 Alzheimer’s and dementia: The newspaper of the Alzheimer’s association by scientists from King’s College London and the Queen Mary University London, is the first to reveal the important role that lipids could have in the risk of Alzheimer’s sex.
The main author, Dr. Cristina Legido-Shigley, of King’s College London, said: “Women are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s disease and are more often diagnosed with the disease than men after the age of 80. is different between the sexes, opening new avenues for research. »»
Large -scale plasma sample study
Scientists have taken plasma Samples of 841 participants who had Alzheimer’s disease, light cognitive disorders and cognitively healthy and were measured for inflammation and cerebral damage.
They used mass spectrometry to analyze the 700 individual lipids in the blood. Lipids are a group of many molecules. Saturated lipids are generally considered “unhealthy” or “bad” lipids, while unsaturated lipids, which sometimes contain omega fatty acids, are generally considered “healthy”.
Scientists have seen a sharp increase in lipids with saturation – “unhealthy lipids” – in women with Alzheimer’s compared to the healthy group. Lipids with attached omega fatty acids were the most diminished in the Alzheimer’s group.
Causal link possible with fatty acids
Now scientists say there is a statistical indication that there is a causal link between Alzheimer’s disease and fatty acids. But a clinical trial is necessary to confirm the link.
Dr. Legido -Quigley added: “Our study suggests that women must make sure they get omega fatty acids in their diet – through fatty fish or supplements. However, we need clinical trials to determine whether the change in lipid composition can influence the biological trajectory of Alzheimer’s disease. ”
Biological differences detected early in life
Dr. Asger Wretlind, the first author of the study of King’s College London, said: “Scientists have known for some time that more women than men are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Although this always justifies additional research, we were able to detect biological differences in lipids between the sexes in a large cohort, and show the importance of lipid in life, this change occurs in women. »»
DRE Julia Dudley, research manager in Alzheimer’s Research Uk, said: “In the United Kingdom, two in three people living with dementia are women.
Following steps: mechanisms, lifestyle and diversity
“Although this study shows that women with Alzheimer’s have had lower levels of certain unsaturated fats compared to men, additional work is necessary.
“Understanding how the disease works differently in women could help doctors adapt future treatments and health advice. The search for Alzheimer’s UK is proud to finance this work which will bring us closer to a remedy. ”
Reference: “Lipid profiling reveals the reduction of unsaturated lipids in women with Alzheimer’s disease” by Asger Wretlind, Jin Xu, Orqiang Chin, Latha Velayudhan, Nicholas J. Ashton, Hetterberg, Petroula Proiisi and Cristina and Cristina Petida and Cristina and Cristina and Cristina and Cristina and Cristina and Cristina and Cristina and Cristina and Cristina and Cristina Petida and Cristina. 2025, Alzheimer’s and dementia.
DOI: 10.1002 / Alz. 70512
Research was supported by the financing of Lundbeckfonden and Alzheimer Research UK.
Never miss a breakthrough: join the Scitechdaily newsletter.
