Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina have found that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a key omega-3 in fish oil supplements, may hinder brain recovery in cases of repeated mild traumatic brain injuries. The study, published in Cell Reports, shows EPA weakening blood vessel stability and contributing to harmful protein buildup. Lead investigator Onder Albayram emphasized that effects depend on biological context.
Onder Albayram, an associate professor at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), led a team that examined how long-term fish oil supplementation affects brain repair. In mouse models subjected to repeated mild head impacts, higher EPA levels led to poorer neurological performance and spatial learning, along with vascular-associated tau accumulation in the cortex. The researchers also observed reduced angiogenic signaling and endothelial integrity in the injured brain tissue. Albayram collaborated with Eda Karakaya, Adviye Ergul, Semir Beyaz, and others from MUSC and partner institutions like Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Human brain microvascular endothelial cells exposed to EPA under certain metabolic conditions showed impaired angiogenesis and barrier function, mirroring the animal findings. Analysis of postmortem brain tissue from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) cases revealed disrupted fatty acid balance and vascular pathway changes consistent with EPA vulnerability. Albayram cautioned against broad conclusions, stating, 'I am not saying fish oil is good or bad in some universal way. What our data highlight is that biology is context-dependent.' He noted differences with DHA, another omega-3 known for brain benefits, and stressed the need for more research on long-term effects in varied conditions. The team plans further studies on EPA absorption and transport.
