Fish Oil May Protect Alcohol Abusers From Neurodegeneration

Fish oil may help prevent alcohol-related neuro-damage and the eventual onset of dementia, according to a recent study.

Past studies have shown a link between long-term alcohol abuse, brain damage, and an increased risk in developing dementia. 

In this study, researchers from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, the University of Kentucky, and the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found that a fish oil compound protected brain cells from neuronal cell death and inflammation after being exposed to high amounts of alcohol. 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

RELATED CONTENT
Study Shows No Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Cognitive Decline
Could Higher Omega-3s Preserve Brain Health in Old Age
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Over the course of several days, researchers exposed cultures of adult rat brain cells to concentrations of alcohol (4 times the legal driving limit).  Investigators then compared those brain cultures to cultures with the same level of alcohol exposure and omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a fish-oil compound.

The results showed up to 90% less neuronal death and inflammation in the brain cells exposed to DHA and alcohol compared to the cells that were only exposed to high levels of alcohol.

Investigators mentioned that a previous meta-analysis—the results of approximately 75 studies—showed that moderate amounts of alcohol in a social setting may toughen brain cells and make them more fit.

The stress of moderate alcohol on the cells may allow them to cope with adverse stresses later on that could lead to dementia. Moderate amounts of alcohol are defined as a total of 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women.

Researchers noted that the best ways to protect brain cells are for an alcohol abuser to reduce his or her intake to moderate amounts, or to abstain completely.

“We don't want people to think it is okay to take a few fish oil capsules and then continue to go on abusing alcohol,” said Michael A. Collins, PhD, co-lead author of the study and researcher at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.

The complete study is published in the journal, Plos One.

-Michelle Canales

Reference:

Tajuddin N, Moon K, Marshall SA, Nixon K, et al. Neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in adult rat brain from binge ethanol exposure: abrogation by docasahexaenoic acid. Plos One. 2014 July 16 [epub ahead of print]. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101223

Loyola University Health System. Fish oil may benefit alcohol abusers. July 17, 2014. www.newswise.com/articles/fish-oil-may-benefit-alcohol-abusers [Press release]. Accessed July 21, 2014.