TABLE 2.
Studies involving omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and Alzheimer's disease1
| Study | Design | No. of patients | Omega-3 fatty acids assessed and amounts | Major finding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omega AD study, Freund-Levi et al. (47) | Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized | 1741 | DHA (1.7 g/d) and EPA (0.6 g/d) | Decline in cognitive function did not differ between supplemented group and placebo group at 6 mo. However, patients with very mild cognitive dysfunction (n = 32, MMSE score >27) in the EPA+DHA-supplemented group had a significant reduction in MMSE score decline rate at 6 mo |
| Omega AD study, Vedin et al. (53) | Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized | 25,1 first subjects to be randomized in the Omega AD Study | DHA (1.7 g/d) and EPA (0.6 g/d) | Supplementation was associated with decreased levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and granulocyte colony–stimulating factor from peripheral blood mononuclear cells at 6 mo |
| Omega AD study, Irving et al. (54) | Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized | 1741 | DHA (1.7 g/d) and EPA (0.6 g/d) for 6 mo, then for all subjects (supplementation group and placebo group) | Supplementation was associated with positive weight gain and appetite in supplementation group at 6 mo, but not in the placebo group, and for both groups at 12 mo |
| Omega AD study, Quinn et al. (56) | Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized | 295; mild to moderate AD (MMSE score 14–26) supplementation group (n = 171), placebo group (n = 124) | DHA (2 g/d for 18 mo) | DHA supplementation led to no beneficial effect on rate of cognitive and functional decline |
1
Subjects in the Omega AD study were patients with mild to moderate AD ( = 89) with acetylcholine esterase inhibitor use and an MMSE score between 15 and 30 and a placebo group (n = 85). Supplementation was for 12 mo; the placebo group was started on supplementation after 6 mo. AD, Alzheimer's disease; MMSE, Mini-Mental State Examination.