# The delivery of essential fatty acids to the Brain in Alzheimer's disease

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · 2021 · $1,129,844

## Abstract

Our studies suggest that APOE4 carriers have abnormalities in brain DHA metabolism that
precede the onset of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia. Early and long-term high dose DHA
supplementation in APOE4 animal models preserves cognitive functions. Subgroup analyses of
several randomized clinical trials suggest that APOE4 carriers may benefit for omega 3
supplementation prior to the onset of AD.
In the DHA Brain Delivery Trial (R01AG054434) we are studying the effect of APOE4 on the
response to DHA supplementation in 160 non-demented adults randomized to 2 grams of DHA
daily vs placebo for over 2 years. The goal of DHA brain delivery study is to determine the
effect of APOE genotype on brain DHA levels (using cerebrospinal fluid, primary outcome), on
brain volumetric and functional connectivity change (secondary outcomes) and cognition
(exploratory outcomes) after DHA supplementation, providing novel information on mechanisms
for APOE4 mediated AD risk.
We are requesting supplemental close out funds to cover unanticipated increase in costs due to
the COVID-19 pandemic that resulted in greater participant drop-out rates and recruitment
delays during 2020-2021.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10425137
- **Project number:** 3R01AG054434-05S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Hussein N Yassine
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $1,129,844
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10425137

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10425137, The delivery of essential fatty acids to the Brain in Alzheimer's disease (3R01AG054434-05S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10425137. Licensed CC0.

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