Meeting Banner
Abstract #1322

Neural and cognitive substrates of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation: a voxel-based morphometry study in aged mice

Marco Pagani 1,2 , Debora Cutuli 3,4 , Adam Liska 1 , Paola Caporali 3,4 , Daniela Laricchiuta 3,4 , Francesca Foti 3,4 , Cristina Neri 4 , Laura Petrosini 4 , and Alessandro Gozzi 1

1 CNCS, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT, Rovereto, TN, Italy, 2 CIMeC - Center for Mind and Brain Sciences, UNITN - Universit di Trento, Rovereto, TN, Italy, 3 University Sapienza, Rome, Rome, Italy, 4 Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Rome, Italy

Human studies have revealed a neuroprotective effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated acids (n-3 PUFA) in aging, with a positive correlation between peripheral n-3 PUFA levels and hippocampal volume. Consistently, higher dietary n-3 PUFA levels have been associated with delayed/reduced cognitive decline. To demonstrate a causal relationship between n-3 PUFA intake, cognition and brain morphology, we mapped gray-matter volume and recorded cognitive performance in aged mice upon 8-week-treatment with n-3 PUFA or control fatty acid. We show that n-3 PUFA treated-mice exhibit better cognitive performance and greater hippocampal and prefrontal volume, an effect that was strongly correlated with brain n-3 PUFA concentration.

This abstract and the presentation materials are available to members only; a login is required.

Join Here