Study shows DHA may help prevent Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by neurofibrillary tau tangles following repetitive neurotrauma. The authors used pharmacological, biochemical, and behavioral tools to assess the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in linking acute repetitive TBI to the development of chronic neurodegeneration. The results demonstrated strong correlation of endoplasmic reticulum stress activation with subsequent tau hyperphosphorylation. The omega-3, Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibitor, substantially reduced tau hyperphosphorylation and improved cognitive performance in the rat model 3 weeks after repetitive blast exposure. Additionally the data showed, for the first time, that endoplasmic reticulum stress is involved in the pathophysiology of CTE. The authors conclude that DHA may be a potential therapeutic agent to prevent the development of CTE. Read more at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26381255