Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34554925›Full record

ArticleAging2021

The relationship between plasma free fatty acids, cognitive function and structural integrity of the brain in middle-aged healthy humans.

Markus Herrmann, Sebastian Simstich, Günter Fauler, Edith Hofer, Eva Fritz-Petrin, Wolfgang Herrmann, Reinhold Schmidt

Open access · hybridAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Aging, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
0.1field-weighted citation impact, top 55% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 3 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. International journal of molecular sciences · 2025
    Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.

Markus HerrmannClinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Sebastian SimstichClinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Günter FaulerClinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Edith HoferClinical Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Eva Fritz-PetrinClinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Wolfgang HerrmannMedical School, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
Reinhold SchmidtClinical Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Medical University of Graz · ATSaarland University · DE

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe cerebral composition of ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) is believed to influence cognitive function and structural damage of the aging brain. However, existing data is inconsistent. MATERIALS AND

methodsThis retrospective study explored the association between free plasma PUFA concentrations, cognitive function and brain structure atrophy in a well-characterized community-dwelling cohort of elderly individuals without stroke and dementia. Ten different fatty acids were analyzed in stored plasma samples from 391 non-demented elderly individuals by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Neuropsychiatric tests capturing memory, executive function and visuopractical skills were performed in all participants. Brain atrophy was assessed by MRI in a subset of 167 individuals.

resultsHigher plasma concentrations of free ω-6 PUFAs (

conclusionsOur study suggests subtle effects of PUFA imbalances on cognition and brain structure. Yet the observed associations are weak and unlikely to be of clinical relevance. The brain regions that seem to be most sensitive to imbalances of ω-3 and ω-6 PUFAs are the frontal and temporal lobes.

Indexed as

CognitionAgedAgingBrainFatty Acids, NonesterifiedFatty Acids, Omega-3Fatty Acids, Omega-6FemaleHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingMaleMiddle AgedProspective StudiesRetrospective StudiesFatty Acids, NonesterifiedFatty Acids, Omega-3Fatty Acids, Omega-6cognitive functionfree fatty acidsmemoryNCI-GC-MSPFBBr

Identifiers

PMID34554925
PMCPMC8507298
OpenAlexW3201428788

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.