VA Study Looks at Effect of Fish Oil on Alzheimer's Disease Risk in Veteran Population

Alzheimer’s disease is devastating. More than 5 million Americans are living with the disease, and experts predict that number will triple by 2050 unless doctors find successful prevention treatments. The situation is even more critical for veterans, who face a higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease than the general population.
The health and science communities are working on treating this disease on many fronts, from drugs and treatments that stop or slow the disease, to lifestyle changes like diet and exercise that help delay the onset of symptoms. Researchers at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, are looking at another possible intervention – studying whether a prescription-strength dose of fish oil may protect against Alzheimer’s disease in veterans with a family risk for the disease.

<strong>Risk Factors in Veterans</strong>
Age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease — one in nine people age 65 and older, and one-third of people age 85 and older, have Alzheimer’s disease. Family history and genetics also play major roles in determining a person’s risk for developing the disease. However, a range of lifestyle and health-related factors determine Alzheimer’s disease risk as well.
Numerous studies show a racial gap in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. African Americans and Native Americans are twice as likely, and Hispanics are one and a half times more likely, to develop the disease than whites. While scientists know these differences exist, they do not know why.
In the veteran population, research has shown men and women who experience active military duty are at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease than the general population. Health care providers speculate the increased risk in veterans can be attributed to the heart-head connection. Veterans experience high cholesterol, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression at higher rates than the non-military population — all health concerns that increase a person’s risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease.

<strong>Volunteer for the BRAVE Study</strong>
In recent years, scientists have identified health changes that happen to people in their 50s and 60s that indicate an increased likelihood they will go on to develop Alzheimer’s disease. The goal of the BRAVE Study is to determine if taking prescription-strength fish oil supplements can slow these changes and delay the onset of the telltale symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, namely changes to memory and other thinking skills, as well as personality changes.
The BRAVE Study team at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, is looking for 150 veterans to volunteer for this study. Volunteers for the BRAVE Study must fit all of the following requirements: Veteran who is eligible for VA services; Age 50-75; No clinical diagnosis of a memory disorder; Had a parent with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
The study requires nine visits spread over 18 months at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital and the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. If you are interested in participating or learning more about the study, please contact the Study Coordinator, Elena Beckman, at (608) 256-1901 ext. 11199, or email elena.beckman@va.gov.

<strong>Four Science-Backed Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention Strategies</strong>
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, placing a lot of importance on prevention. Scientists have found evidence that some lifestyle changes can delay the onset or lower risk for the disease. To help keep your mind healthy, follow these evidence-based lifestyle tips.
<strong>Exercise. </strong> Many studies have shown exercise improves brain health and thinking skills. In general, healthy middle- and late-aged adults should try to get 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise five days a week.
<strong>Diet. </strong> The MIND diet for health brain aging is based on years of research into nutrition, aging, and Alzheimer’s disease. The MIND diet emphasizes eating vegetables, nuts, fish, poultry, beans, whole grains, and berries. The diet also recommends limiting red meat, butter and margarine, cheese, pastries and sweets, and fried foods.
<strong>Sleep. </strong> Sleep is essential to healthy living. Aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night, prioritize sleep, and start a relaxing evening routine that includes dim lights and peaceful thoughts.
<strong>Heart health. </strong> Scientists have long known the connection between a healthy heart and a healthy brain. When healthy blood flow to the brain suffers, so will your memory and thinking skills. If you smoke, work on quitting. If your blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, or Body Mass Index (BMI) are high, work with your doctor to bring these numbers down to healthy levels.
The William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital is a Madison-based 131-bed facility that provides health care for about 42,000 Veterans who live in a 13,600 square mile primary service area, comprising 15 counties in south central Wisconsin and five in northwestern Illinois.