Omega 3 fatty acid for the prevention of cognitive decline and dementia

Sydenham E, et al.

Published in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

Methodology

Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials of omega-3 PUFA supplementation in cognitively healthy adults aged 60+, with cognitive test scores and incident dementia as outcomes.

Key Findings

Cochrane review of three randomised trials with over 4,000 cognitively healthy older adults found omega-3 supplementation for 6-40 months produced no benefit over placebo on memory, executive function, verbal fluency or global cognition, and no reduction in incident dementia.

Conclusions

Omega-3 supplementation does not prevent cognitive decline or dementia in cognitively healthy older people over the durations studied.

Limitations

Only three eligible trials with follow-up up to about 40 months, possibly too short to detect dementia prevention; participants were largely well-nourished with adequate baseline fish intake; doses and formulations varied; no data in people already cognitively impaired.