Omega-3 Fatty Acids Linked to Slower Disease Progression in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Patients

Observational data has demonstrated that omega-3 fatty acids, particularly alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), in plasma levels can be linked to slower disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. According to Kjetil Bjornevik, MD, PhD, from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, ALS patients with high levels of ALA had a 50% reduction in risk of death compared to those with low levels of ALA over an 18-month period.

Study Details

The study evaluated 449 ALS patients with plasma samples collected at randomization in the EMPOWER clinical trial of dexpramipexole. Participants had symptom onset within 24 months of baseline and an upright slow vital capacity of at least 65% of the predicted value for their age. The mean baseline age of participants was 57.5, and 65.3% were men.

Study Results

During the study period, 28.1% of the participants died. Participants with higher plasma levels of two other polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and linoleic acid (LA), also had a lower mortality risk during follow-up. In the joint-rank test of functional decline and survival at 12 months, higher ALA levels were linked to a slower functional decline. The least-squared mean joint-rank test score for participants in quartile 4 of ALA was 24.3 points higher than in quartile 1, but the difference was not significant.

The findings build on earlier research that suggested increased dietary intake of omega-3s, particularly ALA, could decrease ALS risk. “These findings, along with our previous research, suggest that this fatty acid may have neuroprotective effects that could benefit people with ALS,” Bjornevik said in a statement. The researchers are calling for a randomized trial to determine whether ALA is beneficial in people with ALS. However, obtaining funding will be challenging because ALA is not a patentable drug.

Limitations

The researchers acknowledged that plasma fatty acid concentrations may not always reflect dietary intake. Additionally, EMPOWER trial participants may not be representative of the broader ALS population.