Omega-3 fatty acids and cognitive function. 2023

Francine K Welty
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

The aim is to provide an update on omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) in preventing cognitive decline and dementia. Prospective studies and three new meta-analyses suggest that fish or n-3 PUFA intake are associated with a reduction in development of mild cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. Supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in those with mild cognitive impairment showed benefit on cognitive decline, whereas there was no benefit in Alzheimer's disease. In cognitively healthy individuals with clinical coronary artery disease (CAD), 3.36 g EPA and DHA daily slowed cognitive ageing by 2.5 years. Of 15 RCTs in cognitively healthy individuals age more than 55 years, seven reported benefit, whereas eight did not. Potential mechanisms for differences in outcomes include dose, trial duration, apolipoproteinE genotype, sex, stage and rate of cognitive decline, cognitive testing employed and individual characteristics. The downstream product of DHA, neuroprotectin D1, may be involved in beneficial effects. Patients with early memory complaints or a family history of dementia and those with CAD should be counselled on the potential benefits of fish intake and supplementation with n-3 PUFA. ApolipoproteinE4 carriers may especially benefit from DHA supplementation prior to development of cognitive decline.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D003071 Cognition Intellectual or mental process whereby an organism obtains knowledge. Cognitive Function,Cognitions,Cognitive Functions,Function, Cognitive,Functions, Cognitive
D003324 Coronary Artery Disease Pathological processes of CORONARY ARTERIES that may derive from a congenital abnormality, atherosclerotic, or non-atherosclerotic cause. Arteriosclerosis, Coronary,Atherosclerosis, Coronary,Coronary Arteriosclerosis,Coronary Atherosclerosis,Left Main Coronary Artery Disease,Left Main Coronary Disease,Left Main Disease,Arterioscleroses, Coronary,Artery Disease, Coronary,Artery Diseases, Coronary,Atheroscleroses, Coronary,Coronary Arterioscleroses,Coronary Artery Diseases,Coronary Atheroscleroses,Left Main Diseases
D004281 Docosahexaenoic Acids C22-unsaturated fatty acids found predominantly in FISH OILS. Docosahexaenoate,Docosahexaenoic Acid,Docosahexenoic Acids,Docosahexaenoic Acid (All-Z Isomer),Docosahexaenoic Acid Dimer (All-Z Isomer),Docosahexaenoic Acid, 3,6,9,12,15,18-Isomer,Docosahexaenoic Acid, 4,7,10,13,16,19-(All-Z-Isomer),Docosahexaenoic Acid, 4,7,10,13,16,19-(All-Z-Isomer), Cerium Salt,Docosahexaenoic Acid, 4,7,10,13,16,19-(All-Z-Isomer), Cesium Salt,Docosahexaenoic Acid, 4,7,10,13,16,19-(All-Z-Isomer), Potassium Salt,Docosahexaenoic Acid, 4,7,10,13,16,19-(Z,Z,Z,Z,Z,E-Isomer),Docosahexaenoic Acid, 4,7,10,13,16,19-Isomer,Docosahexaenoic Acid, 4,7,10,13,16,19-Isomer, Sodium Salt,Docosahexaenoic Acid, Sodium Salt,Acid, Docosahexaenoic,Acids, Docosahexaenoic,Acids, Docosahexenoic
D000544 Alzheimer Disease A degenerative disease of the BRAIN characterized by the insidious onset of DEMENTIA. Impairment of MEMORY, judgment, attention span, and problem solving skills are followed by severe APRAXIAS and a global loss of cognitive abilities. The condition primarily occurs after age 60, and is marked pathologically by severe cortical atrophy and the triad of SENILE PLAQUES; NEUROFIBRILLARY TANGLES; and NEUROPIL THREADS. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp1049-57) Acute Confusional Senile Dementia,Alzheimer's Diseases,Dementia, Alzheimer Type,Dementia, Senile,Presenile Alzheimer Dementia,Senile Dementia, Alzheimer Type,Alzheimer Dementia,Alzheimer Disease, Early Onset,Alzheimer Disease, Late Onset,Alzheimer Sclerosis,Alzheimer Syndrome,Alzheimer Type Senile Dementia,Alzheimer's Disease,Alzheimer's Disease, Focal Onset,Alzheimer-Type Dementia (ATD),Dementia, Presenile,Dementia, Primary Senile Degenerative,Early Onset Alzheimer Disease,Familial Alzheimer Disease (FAD),Focal Onset Alzheimer's Disease,Late Onset Alzheimer Disease,Primary Senile Degenerative Dementia,Senile Dementia, Acute Confusional,Alzheimer Dementias,Alzheimer Disease, Familial (FAD),Alzheimer Diseases,Alzheimer Type Dementia,Alzheimer Type Dementia (ATD),Alzheimers Diseases,Dementia, Alzheimer,Dementia, Alzheimer-Type (ATD),Familial Alzheimer Diseases (FAD),Presenile Dementia,Sclerosis, Alzheimer,Senile Dementia
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D015118 Eicosapentaenoic Acid Important polyunsaturated fatty acid found in fish oils. It serves as the precursor for the prostaglandin-3 and thromboxane-3 families. A diet rich in eicosapentaenoic acid lowers serum lipid concentration, reduces incidence of cardiovascular disorders, prevents platelet aggregation, and inhibits arachidonic acid conversion into the thromboxane-2 and prostaglandin-2 families. 5,8,11,14,17-Eicosapentaenoic Acid,Icosapent,5,8,11,14,17-Icosapentaenoic Acid,Eicosapentanoic Acid,Timnodonic Acid,omega-3-Eicosapentaenoic Acid,Acid, Eicosapentanoic,omega 3 Eicosapentaenoic Acid
D015525 Fatty Acids, Omega-3 A group of unsaturated fatty acids occurring mainly in fish oils, with three double bonds at particular positions in the hydrocarbon chain. N-3 Fatty Acid,Omega-3 Fatty Acid,Omega-3 Fatty Acids,n-3 Fatty Acids,n-3 Oil,n3 Oil,Omega 3 Fatty Acids,n-3 Oils,n-3 PUFA,n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid,n3 Fatty Acid,n3 Oils,n3 PUFA,n3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid,Acid, N-3 Fatty,Acid, Omega-3 Fatty,Fatty Acid, N-3,Fatty Acid, Omega-3,Fatty Acid, n3,N 3 Fatty Acid,Oil, n-3,Oil, n3,Omega 3 Fatty Acid,PUFA, n-3,PUFA, n3,n 3 Fatty Acids,n 3 Oil,n 3 Oils,n 3 PUFA,n 3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid
D060825 Cognitive Dysfunction Diminished or impaired mental and/or intellectual function. Cognitive Disorder,Mild Cognitive Impairment,Cognitive Decline,Cognitive Impairments,Mental Deterioration,Cognitive Declines,Cognitive Disorders,Cognitive Dysfunctions,Cognitive Impairment,Cognitive Impairment, Mild,Cognitive Impairments, Mild,Decline, Cognitive,Declines, Cognitive,Deterioration, Mental,Deteriorations, Mental,Disorder, Cognitive,Disorders, Cognitive,Dysfunction, Cognitive,Dysfunctions, Cognitive,Impairment, Cognitive,Impairment, Mild Cognitive,Impairments, Cognitive,Impairments, Mild Cognitive,Mental Deteriorations,Mild Cognitive Impairments
D019587 Dietary Supplements Products in capsule, tablet or liquid form that provide dietary ingredients, and that are intended to be taken by mouth to increase the intake of nutrients. Dietary supplements can include macronutrients, such as proteins, carbohydrates, and fats; and/or MICRONUTRIENTS, such as VITAMINS; MINERALS; and PHYTOCHEMICALS. Food Supplements,Neutraceuticals,Dietary Supplementations,Food Supplementations,Herbal Supplements,Nutraceuticals,Nutriceuticals,Dietary Supplement,Food Supplement,Herbal Supplement,Neutraceutical,Nutraceutical,Nutriceutical,Supplement, Food,Supplement, Herbal,Supplementations, Dietary,Supplements, Dietary,Supplements, Food,Supplements, Herbal

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