Researchers to study effects of fish oils on dementia patients

The team will examine mice that have been specially bred to develop Alzheimer's disease, and will study whether omega-3 fatty acids in the mice diet has any beneficial effects on brain proteins. Professor Harwood speculates that the anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 oils may alleviate the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

• WELSH scientists are to investigate the power fish have in slowing the devastating symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
• They will aim to discover whether eating fatty acids found in dishes such as salmon and sardines can help postpone the start - and hold back the symptoms - of a dementia which affects hundreds of people, particularly the elderly, across Wales.
• Previous studies have suggested a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily fish, can reduce the risk of the onset of Alzheimer's disease, although this is not yet proven.
• Now Professor John Harwood, leading the Cardiff University research, will investigate whether oily fish, including herring and mackerel, can actually help halt or slow Alzheimer's progression.
• The project, announced today, will be funded by the Alzheimer's Research Trust.
• The team will follow mice that have been bred to develop Alzheimer's.
• They will study whether omega-3 fatty acids in the mice's diet can have a beneficial effect on proteins in the brain.
• The scientists will see if this dietary change has any effect on the behaviour and symptoms of the mice.
• The anti-inflammatory benefits of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fats in fish, already used to treat conditions such as arthritis, will be assessed.
• He added, "Inflammation appears to play a leading role in the onset and the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
• We are using a strain of mice who suffer from Alzheimer's.
• We are using these animals to find out how it is that the fatty fish could alleviate the symptoms of Alzheimer's.
• Carolyn Morris, from Castleton, near Cardiff, cares for her mother Mary Miller, 88, who has Alzheimer's.
• "As a family at first we didn't realise this was going on and it was only when my father died that I realised something was seriously amiss with my mother.