Lipid delivery system improves cognitive performance
concluded a study showing that a superior lipid-based delivery
system for DHA had a significant effect on the cognitive
performance in elderly rat models.
The company noted that DHA is known to be one of the prominent building-blocks of our brain cells' membrane, but common treatment of cognitive impairment with DHA has only a marginal effect - partly because of its relatively poor bioavailability to the cerebral tissues.
This recent study found that the chemical agent scopolamine - which accelerates the processes of cognitive aging by inducing amnesia - impaired the cognitive abilities of middle-aged rats. Several groups of rats were fed with traditional sources of DHA while others received novel lipid-based delivery platforms carrying DHA.
"We were able to demonstrate that simple DHA derivatives, such as fish oil, could not attenuate scopolamine's rapid aging effect, while our DHA delivery systems provided a more effective protection from this substance," said Dr. Dori Pelled, director of clinical studies at Enzymotec.
"Interestingly, the effect was induced while using only one third of the active ingredient concentration, compared to previous publications," he added.
Pelled explained that the new DHA delivery systems empower DHA by increasing its bioavailability to the brain and by performing synergistically with its carrier.
"Thus, a significant improvement in various cognitive and behavioral patterns such as memory, learning and mood is achieved," he said.
The company said that is has already begun a human clinical trial based on these results and intends soon to conduct an additional human trial with a different target group.
"Seniors often experience a progressive decline in cognitive function," said Dr. Ariel Katz, Enzymotec's CEO. "Our new delivery systems can now offer a better way to reverse the aging effects."
Before this announcement, one of the company's most recent advances in cognitive health was the introduction last month of non-GM variants of its high grade lecithin and phosphatidylserine (PS).
Phosphatidylserine is present in all biological membranes but in animals is most concentrated in the brain. It regulates many metabolic processes including neuronal signalling. However it cannot be synthesized by the body and changes in the western diet over recent years have led to a decline in dietary uptake of the nutrient.
The supplement, derived from soybeans, has been shown to enhance memory and cognitive performance, and is targeted at both the elderly and young adults under stress.
