Omega-3-Derived Compound Maresin1 Supports Brain Blood Flow and Memory in Animal Model of Reduced Cerebral Circulation
This laboratory study used rats with chronic reduced blood flow to the brain, a condition linked to early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Researchers tested Maresin1, a compound the body makes from the omega-3 fatty acid DHA, to see how it affects brain blood vessel growth and memory.
The rats given Maresin1 showed better performance on memory and learning tests, increased formation of new blood vessels in the hippocampus (a brain region important for memory), and improved blood flow to the brain. At the cellular level, Maresin1 activated a signaling pathway (IGF-1/p-Akt/VEGF/eNOS) that promotes blood vessel growth, and this effect depended heavily on immune cells called perivascular macrophages that surround brain blood vessels.
When researchers used a drug to eliminate these macrophages, Maresin1 no longer boosted VEGF (a key blood vessel growth signal) or improved memory, confirming that these immune cells play a central role in how Maresin1 supports brain blood flow and cognitive function in this model.
What this means for you
This early-stage animal research suggests that DHA-derived compounds like Maresin1 may support brain blood vessel health and cognitive function through specific immune cell pathways, but these findings come from rats, not humans, and further research is needed before drawing conclusions about dietary omega-3 intake in people.
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Neurochemical research · 2026-10-08 · DOI: 10.1007/s11064-026-04911-7
Read the original source ↗This summary is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider before making changes to your supplement routine.