A new preclinical study demonstrates that Lysoveta delivers EPA and DHA across the brain’s protective barriers. “With a growing burden of brain-related diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia, research into how nutrition can support brain health has never been more important,” says Matts Johansen, CEO of Aker BioMarine.
Lysoveta is a novel brain health ingredient, consisting of EPA, DHA and Choline in the form of lysophosphatidylcholine. This has shown to be the molecular form the brain naturally recognizes and actively transports across its barriers via the MFSD2A pathway. This is what makes targeted delivery to the brain possible.
Significant enrichment of EPA and DHA
The study found significant enrichment of EPA and DHA in brain tissue and at the brain’s protective barriers, including in mice carrying the APOE4 gene, the strongest known genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. In APOE4 mice, shifts in DHA-related metabolites indicate that Lysoveta activated relevant pathways in the brain despite no significant increase in bulk DHA levels, consistent with the distinct lipid metabolism observed in APOE4 carriers.
“Our results show that Lysoveta can enrich brain-related tissues with EPA and DHA, supporting its potential as a targeted nutritional strategy for brain health. The distinct response observed in APOE4 further underscores the importance of genotype-specific approaches,” says Dr. Mélanie Plourde from Université de Sherbrooke.
A growing global challenge
According to the World Health Organization, the number of people living with dementia is expected to triple to 152 million by 2050. As populations age and risk factors such as obesity and diabetes continue to rise, the need for research into how nutrition can support brain health grows more urgent. World Health Organization
Lysoveta was introduced by Aker BioMarine in November 2020 as the world’s first commercially available EPA/DHA in lysophosphatidylcholine form. This is the third study with Lysoveta demonstrating neuroprotective effects and significant enrichment of EPA and DHA in brain tissues.
“Each study brings us closer to understanding what Lysoveta can mean for brain health. The results so far are encouraging. As people live longer and the global population ages, the number of those affected by brain-related diseases will continue to rise and we need more research to address it,” says Matts Johansen, CEO of Aker BioMarine.