A Novel DHA Treatment Approach for Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementia (ADRD) are adversely impacting the healthy lifespan in our aging population. Fish oil has been suggested to improve AD/ADRD outcomes. The omega 3 fatty acids (Om3FA) in fish oil in particular DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is a key molecule. Some data exists that DHA is beneficial for protection against age related cognitive decline and related dementia such as AD. However, current dietary supplements of Om3FA do not appreciably increase DHA levels in the brain. Our data explains why multiple human clinical trials failed with DHA treatment for preventing and/or treating AD/ADRD. We have discovered that this failure to cross the blood-brain barrier is because the Om3FA from these supplements are absorbed in the form of triacylglycerols, whereas the specific transporter (called Mfsd2a) at the blood brain barrier requires a lysophospholipid (LPC) form of DHA. Because of this, when we treat with lipase, it results in the LPC form of DHA. Then, when we treat mice with this form, mice have a substantial enrichment of the brain DHA, as compared to control group and a notable memory benefit. Thus, the goal of this phase 1 is to test if LPC-DHA effects memory in AD mouse models. We will specifically explore the behavioral and biochemical effects of this treatment approach. Through collaboration with the University of Illinois at Chicago, with expertise in Om3FA and mouse models, and our expertise in chemical separation and Om3FA isolation techniques, we are poised to test the efficacy of this novel treatment. Moreover, we are prepared for Phase 2 studies, which will focus on development of pilot scale production/isolation processes of this modified DHA. This will eventually lead to marketing and commercialization to protect and/or prevent against AD development in Phase 3.With our aging population, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementia (ADRD) are adversely impacting the healthy lifespan. We have developed a novel omega-3 fatty acid that specifically penetrates the brain and minimizes the memory loss in mice. Here, as a proof of concept, we will test this novel omega-3 fatty acid as a protective treatment for AD mouse models.