eprintid: 28323 rev_number: 9 eprint_status: archive userid: 2 dir: disk0/00/02/83/23 datestamp: 2026-04-29 19:14:47 lastmod: 2026-04-29 19:14:48 status_changed: 2026-04-29 19:14:47 type: article metadata_visibility: show creators_name: Godos, Justyna creators_name: Caruso, Giuseppe creators_name: Micek, Agnieszka creators_name: Dolci, Alberto creators_name: Ungvari, Zoltan creators_name: Lehoczki, Andrea creators_name: León Brizuela, Lisandra creators_name: Frias-Toral, Evelyn creators_name: Di Mauro, Andrea creators_name: Siervo, Mario creators_name: Di Rosa, Michelino creators_name: Grosso, Giuseppe title: Fish consumption and brain structure: a comprehensive systematic review of observational studies ispublished: pub subjects: uneat_bm subjects: uneat_sn divisions: unincol_produccion_cientifica divisions: uninimx_produccion_cientifica divisions: unic_produccion_cientifica full_text_status: public keywords: Fish Brain structure White matter volume MRI abstract: Background Age-related structural changes in the human brain, including cortical atrophy, reductions in grey and white matter volumes, and the accumulation of small vessel–related lesions such as white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and cerebral microbleeds, represent critical biological substrates underlying cognitive decline and dementia. Fish consumption has been associated with slower cognitive decline and reduced risk of dementia, but a comprehensive evaluation of its relation with brain structures is lacking. Aims The aim of this study was to systematically review current scientific literature providing evidence of relation between fish intake and brain structures in human studies. Methods Studies indexed in two major electronic databases have been screened based on a combination of keywords and MeSH terms. Studies were eligible whether they assessed fish consumption in relation to brain structures in the adult populations. Results A total of 24 studies conducted predominantly on older adults met inclusion criteria. Most brain volume measures were obtained via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures. Higher fish consumption was associated with reduced severity of white matter hyperintensities (a biomarker of cerebral small vessel disease and white matter damage) and cerebral micro-bleed, preservation of certain brain areas volumes (i.e., hippocampus, temporal lobe and periventricle white matter) and cortical thickness of specific areas (i.e., precuneus, parietal, and cingulate grey matter), among others, compared to lower intake. Some analyses found no association and isolated findings suggested possible adverse associations that were not consistently replicated. Studies reporting null findings may underline the possible relevance of the overall diet (i.e., adherence to the Mediterranean diet). Conclusions Inclusion of fish in a healthy and balanced diet is associated with better white matter grades on MRI and slower progression of white matter hyperintensities and reduction of vascular-related lesions of the aging brain, suggesting a potential role in preventing neurocognitive deterioration. Heterogeneity across studies underscores the need for additional studies. date: 2026-04 publication: Aging Clinical and Experimental Research id_number: doi:10.1007/s40520-026-03363-x refereed: TRUE issn: 1720-8319 official_url: http://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-026-03363-x access: open language: en citation: Artículo Materias > Biomedicina Materias > Alimentación Fundación Universitaria Internacional de Colombia > Investigación > Producción Científica Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana México > Investigación > Artículos y libros Universidad Internacional do Cuanza > Investigación > Producción Científica Abierto Inglés Background Age-related structural changes in the human brain, including cortical atrophy, reductions in grey and white matter volumes, and the accumulation of small vessel–related lesions such as white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and cerebral microbleeds, represent critical biological substrates underlying cognitive decline and dementia. Fish consumption has been associated with slower cognitive decline and reduced risk of dementia, but a comprehensive evaluation of its relation with brain structures is lacking. Aims The aim of this study was to systematically review current scientific literature providing evidence of relation between fish intake and brain structures in human studies. Methods Studies indexed in two major electronic databases have been screened based on a combination of keywords and MeSH terms. Studies were eligible whether they assessed fish consumption in relation to brain structures in the adult populations. Results A total of 24 studies conducted predominantly on older adults met inclusion criteria. Most brain volume measures were obtained via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures. Higher fish consumption was associated with reduced severity of white matter hyperintensities (a biomarker of cerebral small vessel disease and white matter damage) and cerebral micro-bleed, preservation of certain brain areas volumes (i.e., hippocampus, temporal lobe and periventricle white matter) and cortical thickness of specific areas (i.e., precuneus, parietal, and cingulate grey matter), among others, compared to lower intake. Some analyses found no association and isolated findings suggested possible adverse associations that were not consistently replicated. Studies reporting null findings may underline the possible relevance of the overall diet (i.e., adherence to the Mediterranean diet). Conclusions Inclusion of fish in a healthy and balanced diet is associated with better white matter grades on MRI and slower progression of white matter hyperintensities and reduction of vascular-related lesions of the aging brain, suggesting a potential role in preventing neurocognitive deterioration. Heterogeneity across studies underscores the need for additional studies. metadata Godos, Justyna; Caruso, Giuseppe; Micek, Agnieszka; Dolci, Alberto; Ungvari, Zoltan; Lehoczki, Andrea; León Brizuela, Lisandra; Frias-Toral, Evelyn; Di Mauro, Andrea; Siervo, Mario; Di Rosa, Michelino y Grosso, Giuseppe mail SIN ESPECIFICAR (2026) Fish consumption and brain structure: a comprehensive systematic review of observational studies. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research. ISSN 1720-8319 document_url: http://repositorio.unini.edu.mx/id/eprint/28323/1/s40520-026-03363-x_reference.pdf