title: The Association between Cerebral White Matter Lesions and Plasma Omega-3 to Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Ratio to Cognitive Impairment Development.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cerebral white matter hyperintensity (WMH) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a potential for predicting cognitive impairment. Serum polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels are important for evaluating the extent of atherosclerosis. We investigated whether abnormal PUFA levels affected WMH grading and cognitive function in patients without significant cognitive impairment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Atherosclerotic risk factors, the internal carotid artery (ICA) plaque, and serum ratios of eicosapentaenoic to arachidonic acids (EPA/AA) and docosahexaenoic to arachidonic acids (DHA/AA) were assessed in 286 patients. The relationship among these risk factors, WMH, and cognitive function was evaluated using WMH grading and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The development of WMH was associated with aging, hypertension, ICA plaques, and a low serum EPA/AA ratio (<0.38, obtained as the median value) but was not related to dyslipidemia, diabetes, smoking, and a low serum DHA/AA ratio (<0.84, obtained as the median value). In addition, the MMSE score deteriorated slightly with the progression of WMH (29.7 ± 1.0 compared to 28.4 ± 2.1, P < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The progression of WMH was associated with a low serum EPA/AA ratio and accompanied minimal deterioration in cognitive function. Sufficient omega-3 PUFA intake may be effective in preventing the development of cognitive impairment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Hokusetsu General Hospital, Takatsuki, Osaka 569-8585, Japan.
authors.forename: Michihiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suwa
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Hokusetsu General Hospital, Takatsuki, Osaka 569-8585, Japan.
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Hokusetsu General Hospital, Takatsuki, Osaka 569-8585, Japan.
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Komori
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation, Aijinkai Rehabilitation Hospital, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Sachiko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kajimoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Hokusetsu General Hospital, Takatsuki, Osaka 569-8585, Japan.
authors.forename: Masaya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kino
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000097:blood; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000097:blood; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D066127:White Matter / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid