# A Novel DHA Treatment Approach for Alzheimer's Disease

> **NIH NIH R41** · OROCHEM TECHNOLOGIES, INC. · 2020 · $349,643

## Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementia (ADRD) are adversely impacting the healthy
lifespan in our aging population. Fish oil has been suggested to improve AD/ADRD outcomes.
The omega 3 fatty acids (Om3FA) in fish oil in particular DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is a key
molecule. Some data exists that DHA is beneficial for protection against age related cognitive
decline and related dementia such as AD. However, current dietary supplements of Om3FA do
not appreciably increase DHA levels in the brain. Our data explains why multiple human clinical
trials failed with DHA treatment for preventing and/or treating AD/ADRD. We have discovered
that this failure to cross the blood-brain barrier is because the Om3FA from these supplements
are absorbed in the form of triacylglycerols, whereas the specific transporter (called Mfsd2a) at
the blood brain barrier requires a lysophospholipid (LPC) form of DHA. Because of this, when we
treat with lipase, it results in the LPC form of DHA. Then, when we treat mice with this form, mice
have a substantial enrichment of the brain DHA, as compared to control group and a notable
memory benefit. Thus, the goal of this phase 1 is to test if LPC-DHA effects memory in AD mouse
models. We will specifically explore the behavioral and biochemical effects of this treatment
approach. Through collaboration with the University of Illinois at Chicago, with expertise in
Om3FA and mouse models, and our expertise in chemical separation and Om3FA isolation
techniques, we are poised to test the efficacy of this novel treatment. Moreover, we are prepared
for Phase 2 studies, which will focus on development of pilot scale production/isolation processes of this
modified DHA. This will eventually lead to marketing and commercialization to protect and/or prevent
against AD development in Phase 3.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10082124
- **Project number:** 1R41AG069619-01
- **Recipient organization:** OROCHEM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Brian Thomas Layden
- **Activity code:** R41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $349,643
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-15 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10082124

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10082124, A Novel DHA Treatment Approach for Alzheimer's Disease (1R41AG069619-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10082124. Licensed CC0.

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