Converging evidence in support of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids as a potential therapy for Huntington's disease symptoms

Abstract

Huntington's disease (HD) is a genetic, inexorably fatal neurodegenerative disease. Patient average survivability is up to 20 years after the onset of symptoms. Those who suffer from the disease manifest motor, cognitive, and psychiatric impairments. There is indirect evidence suggesting that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA) could have alleviating effects on most of HD symptoms. These include beneficial effects against cachexia and weight loss, decrease of cognitive impairment over time, and improvement of psychiatric symptoms such as depression and irritability. Furthermore, there is a positive correlation between consumption of ω-3 PUFAs in diets and prevalence of HD, as well as direct effects on the disease via release of serotonin. Unfortunately, to date, very few studies have examined the effects of ω-3 PUFAs in HD, both on the symptoms and on disease progression. This paper reviews evidence in the literature suggesting that ω-3 PUFAs can be used in neurodegenerative disorders. This information can be extrapolated to support further research of ω-3 PUFAs and their potential use for HD treatment.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Huntington’s disease; cognitive impairment; omega-3; polyunsaturated fatty acids.