We explored how dietary eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), in combination with lysophosphatidylcholine and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), might influence retinal function in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Our focus was on 5XFAD mice, a commonly used model for studying AD, to see if enriching retinal DHA levels could help alleviate visual impairments associated with the disease.
Our findings revealed that the 5XFAD mice had notably lower levels of retinal DHA compared to their healthy counterparts. Upon feeding them a diet rich in the lysophosphatidylcholine form of DHA and EPA, we observed a rapid normalization of DHA levels and a substantial increase in retinal EPA. In contrast, feeding them traditional forms of these fatty acids produced only modest improvements.
After two months on the special diet, we recorded significant enhancements in retinal function measured through electroretinography, particularly in a-wave and b-wave responses. Additionally, the levels of retinal amyloid beta, a marker associated with AD, were reduced by about 50% with the dietary intervention, compared to a mere 17% reduction with the standard formulation.
Overall, our study suggests that boosting DHA and EPA levels in the retina through a unique dietary method may improve vision-related issues in Alzheimer’s disease, highlighting the potential of these nutrients in supporting retinal health as part of a broader treatment strategy.