Omega-3 fatty acid and vitamin d levels to identify and attenuate cognitive aging in individuals

Abstract

A method for identifying pre-disposition to cognitive decline in a subject, the method comprising determining levels of: (a) omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin Dora metabolite thereof; (b) omega-3 fatty acids, and homocysteine; (c) vitamin D or a metabolite thereof, and homocysteine; or (d) omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D or a metabolite thereof, and homocysteine, independently in one or more samples obtained from the subject.

1 . A method for identifying a pre-disposition to cognitive decline in a subject, the method comprising determining the levels of one or more levels selected from the group consisting of:
 (a) omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D or a metabolite thereof;   (b) omega-3 fatty acids, and homocysteine;   (c) vitamin D or a metabolite thereof, and homocysteine; and   (d) omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D or a metabolite thereof, and homocysteine, independently in one or more samples obtained from the subject.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises determining the levels of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D or a metabolite thereof, and homocysteine. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 (a) a level of omega-3 fatty acids is determined and a decrease in the level of omega-3 fatty acids in the sample from the subject compared to a reference value is indicative of pre-disposition to cognitive decline;   (b) a level of vitamin D or a metabolite thereof is determined and a decrease in the level of vitamin D or metabolite thereof in the sample from the subject compared to a reference value is indicative of pre-disposition to cognitive decline; and/or   (c) a level of homocysteine is determined and an increase in the level of homocysteine in the sample from the subject compared to a reference value is indicative of pre-disposition to cognitive decline.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more samples are independently selected from the group consisting of a blood sample, plasma sample and serum sample. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the level of omega-3 fatty acids is determined in a blood sample, preferably an erythrocyte sample; the level of vitamin D or metabolite thereof is determined in a serum sample; and/or the level of homocysteine is determined in a plasma sample. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the omega-3 fatty acid is eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and/or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vitamin D or metabolite thereof is vitamin D3, vitamin D2, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and/or 25-hydroxyvitamin D2. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is an ageing human subject. 
     
     
         9 . A method for use in reducing or preventing cognitive decline in a subject comprising administering an omega-3 fatty acid to a subject in need thereof simultaneously, sequentially or separately with vitamin D or a metabolite thereof, and/or an agent capable of reducing plasma homocysteine levels. 
     
     
         10 . A method for use in reducing or preventing cognitive decline in a subject comprising administering a vitamin D or metabolite thereof to a subject in need thereof simultaneously, sequentially or separately with an omega-3 fatty acid, and/or an agent capable of reducing plasma homocysteine levels. 
     
     
         11 - 18 . (canceled)