"THE QUESTION Eating fish can be good for the heart thanks to the presence of omega fatty acids. Might fish consumption help the brain too THIS STUDY involved  adults who averaged  years old and had no signs of dementia and had not had a stroke. They were given MRI brain scans and a battery of tests to measure memory and thinking abilities they also had blood drawn to check the level of omega fatty acids in their red blood cells. Those with the lowest levels of omegas showed signs of accelerated aging. They had lower brain volume indicating shrinkage comparable to two additional years of aging. Compared with those with the highest blood levels of omegas they scored lower on cognitive tests measuring such things as memory problem solving abstract thinking and multitasking.  WHO MAY BE AFFECTED Middleaged and older adults. Omega fatty acids are unsaturated fats found in most fish but especially in fatty fish that live in cold seawater such as salmon and herring. Except for trout freshwater fish usually are lower in omegas.  CAVEATS Most participants were white. Testing and measurements were done once providing no data for comparison over time or to determine any link to dementia. FIND THIS STUDY Feb.  issue of Neurology   http  LEARN MORE ABOUT omega fatty acids at   http Learn about the brain and aging and  http search for healthy aging.  Linda Searing  The research described in Quick Study comes from credible peerreviewed journals. Nonetheless conclusive evidence about a treatments effectiveness is rarely found in a single study. Anyone considering changing or beginning treatment of any kind should consult with a physician."