Marine-derived n-3 fatty acids therapy for stroke

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Increasing global stroke burden necessitates novel therapeutic strategies.
• Marine-derived n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) demonstrate neuroprotective potential in animal stroke models.
• Evidence suggests PUFAs may improve functional outcomes post-stroke.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of marine-derived n-3 PUFAs on functional outcomes and dependence in stroke patients.
• To synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on n-3 PUFA efficacy in stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search across multiple databases (Cochrane Stroke, MEDLINE, Embase, etc.) up to May 2021.
• Inclusion of 30 RCTs, with outcome data from nine trials involving 3339 participants.
• Assessment of functional outcomes (e.g., GOSE, Barthel Index) and secondary outcomes (mortality, recurrence, adverse events) with meta-analysis and narrative synthesis.

Main Results:

• Limited data available, with only one study including acute stroke patients.
• Short-term follow-up showed very low-certainty evidence for functional outcome and low-certainty evidence for mood.
• Longer-term follow-up provided low-certainty evidence for vascular death and recurrent events, with no significant effect observed.

Conclusions:

• The effect of marine-derived n-3 PUFAs on stroke recovery remains highly uncertain due to insufficient high-certainty evidence.
• Further well-designed RCTs are required, particularly in acute stroke, to establish efficacy and safety.
• Future research should focus on early intervention, standardized outcome measures, optimal dosing, and administration methods.