Improving brain delivery of omega‑3 (DHA) for older adults at risk for dementia
Optimizing CNS DHA delivery in elderly adults at risk for dementia
This project looks at whether giving DHA in forms that reach the brain better can help older adults with memory concerns who are at higher risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cincinnati NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176293 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would join a program testing different ways of giving the omega‑3 fat DHA to see which form gets into the brain best. The team will enroll older adults who are worried about their memory or have biomarkers linked to Alzheimer's and give them DHA in different chemical forms. They will collect blood and possibly cerebrospinal fluid samples, and follow thinking and memory measures over time to see if brain DHA rises and related markers change. Visits will likely include imaging or lab tests at the University of Cincinnati so researchers can compare how well each DHA form crosses the blood‑brain barrier.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults with subjective cognitive decline or other risk indicators for Alzheimer's who are willing to have lab tests and study visits.
Not a fit: People with advanced Alzheimer's dementia or those without memory concerns or Alzheimer's risk markers are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could increase brain DHA levels and potentially slow processes linked to Alzheimer's risk in older adults.
How similar studies have performed: Prior trials using common fish‑oil (triglyceride) DHA have not shown clear benefit in older adults, while the brain‑targeted LPC/PC forms have promising results in animals but are still unproven in people.
Where this research is happening
Cincinnati, United States
- University of Cincinnati — Cincinnati, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcnamara, Robert K. — University of Cincinnati
- Study coordinator: Mcnamara, Robert K.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.