PASADENA, CA--(Marketwired - July 15, 2014) - A groundbreaking study on Alzheimer's disease, authored by HMRI Senior Biochemist Dr. Alfred Fonteh, and his colleagues from HMRI's Molecular Neurology Program, has just been published in PLOS ONE, a leading scientific peer-reviewed journal. Titled "Human Cerebrospinal Fluid Fatty Acid Levels Differ between Supernatant Fluid and Brain-Derived Nanoparticle Fractions, and Are Altered in Alzheimer's disease," the study shows that the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Alzheimer's disease may contain diagnostic information before they have memory loss. The spinal fluid analysis also points to possible new avenues of therapy. The 3-year study found significant differences in fatty acids in cerebrospinal fluid -- the fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord -- between Alzheimer's and cognitively healthy patients. In particular, Omega-3 fatty acid levels were found to be considerably reduced in Alzheimer's patients.
"We measured a vast number of lipid compounds in the cerebrospinal fluid and found a lot of changes, especially in Omega-3 fatty acids and also in the mono-unsaturated fatty acids," said Dr. Alfred Fonteh, HMRI Senior Biochemist, and the lead researcher on the study. "These (Omega-3's) are the kind of fatty acids that you often find in a Mediterranean diet."
Dr. Fonteh noted that in earlier studies people in countries with high-fish diets -- foods particularly rich in Omega-3 fatty acids -- were found to have better memory function and tend not to have as high an incidence of Alzheimer's disease. These data formed part of the hypothesis that led to his study. In addition, it was known from earlier studies of Alzheimer's disease that the brain -- which contains abundant fatty acids -- shrinks considerably in Alzheimer's patients.
This was the first study of its kind to be conducted on live human subjects. "For a long time people have done animal studies that found that if you provide a certain amount of Omega-3 fatty acids to rats, it prevents memory loss," Dr. Fonteh continued. "But no one has ever studied humans to discover levels of Omega-3 fatty acids in the brain, or whether they're actually depleted or have any significance in disease." By looking in cerebrospinal fluid, the researchers have a more direct read-out of changes in the brain, rather than looking in blood where molecular changes originating from the brain are mixed together with changes from all the other organs.
The findings of the study raise new questions, to explore new treatment options. The changes in fatty acids within cerebrospinal fluid could be used as markers to characterize the stage of Alzheimer's disease and perhaps to monitor response to therapies. Intriguingly, looking at restoration of fatty acids may be an approach to therapy, and the HMRI group will be addressing the results of this study with further research in the same patients, new study participants, in parallel with laboratory studies.
To read the study in its entirety, visit http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0100519
Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI) is an independent research organization dedicated to improving health and prolonging life. HMRI enhances knowledge of life processes and diseases through medical research and develops technologies to help Southern California physicians diagnose and treat diseases. HMRI's world-class biomedical research programs are internationally recognized in cancer, liver and neurological diseases, cell biology, neurosurgery, neural engineering and magnetic resonance. Bench research progresses to the patient bedside through collaboration with physicians at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, California, and regional medical centers, as well as partnerships with Caltech, USC and UCLA. Adding quality years to life is the ultimate gauge of HMRI's success. For additional information on HMRI, visit www.hmri.org.
ABOUT DR. ALFRED FONTEH
Dr. Alfred Fonteh holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of London, and completed postdoctoral studies at Johns Hopkins University Asthma and Allergy Center. Prior to coming to HMRI, he held positions of Research Associate, Instructor of Medicine and Assistant Professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Dr. Fonteh has been with HMRI for 13 years, and now holds the position of Senior Biochemist. His research path focuses on lipid signaling pathways to discover therapeutic targets of neurological disorders, including migraine.
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