Interaction of erythrocyte eicosapentaenoic acid and physical activity predicts reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate relationships between self-reported physical activity, proportions of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCn3) in erythrocyte content (percentage of total fatty acids) and risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted. Community-dwelling male and female (n = 84) participants over the age of 65 years with and without MCI were tested for erythrocyte proportions of the LCn3s eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Physical activity was measured using a validated questionnaire.


RESULTS
The interaction between erythrocyte EPA, but not DHA, and increased physical activity was associated with increased odds of a non-MCI classification.


CONCLUSIONS
An interaction between physical activity and erythrocyte EPA content (percentage of fatty acids) significantly predicted MCI status in older adults. Randomised control trials are needed to examine the potential for supplementation with EPA in combination with increased physical activity to mitigate the risk of MCI in ageing adults.
a School of Psychology and Counselling , Queensland University of Technology , Kelvin Grove , Australia.
Steven John
SJ
Street
Natalie
N
Parletta
Catherine
C
Milte
Karen
K
Sullivan
Andrew P
AP
Hills
Jonathan
J
Buckley
Peter
P
Howe
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood*; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D004912:Erythrocytes; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid
DHA; EPA; ageing; mild cognitive impairment; physical activity