Omega-3 fatty acids and risk of cognitive impairment and dementia

Laurin, Danielle; Verreault, René; Lindsay, Joan; Dewailly, Éric; Holub, Bruce J.

doi:10.3233/jad-2003-5407

Cited by 129 publications

(75 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…6 One possible reason for these inconsistent results is the limited ability of dietary recall surveys and food frequency questionnaires to quantify blood levels of fatty acids. 7,8 In the Framingham original cohort, participants in the top quartile of plasma phosphatidylcholine docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels had 37% and 47% lower risks of Alzheimer disease (AD) and all-cause dementia, respectively.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…3 While several large epidemiologic studies 4,5 have shown an association between the estimated intake of fatty fish and a lower risk for dementia, some other investigations have failed to confirm such a protective association. 6 One possible reason for these inconsistent results is the limited ability of dietary recall surveys and food frequency questionnaires to quantify blood levels of fatty acids. 7,8 In the Framingham original cohort, participants in the top quartile of plasma phosphatidylcholine docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels had 37% and 47% lower risks of Alzheimer disease (AD) and all-cause dementia, respectively.…”

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Red blood cell omega-3 fatty acid levels and markers of accelerated brain aging

et al. 2012

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Objective: Higher dietary intake and circulating levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) have been related to a reduced risk for dementia, but the pathways underlying this association remain unclear. We examined the cross-sectional relation of red blood cell (RBC) fatty acid levels to subclinical imaging and cognitive markers of dementia risk in a middleaged to elderly community-based cohort. Methods:We related RBC DHA and EPA levels in dementia-free Framingham Study participants (n ϭ 1,575; 854 women, age 67 Ϯ 9 years) to performance on cognitive tests and to volumetric brain MRI, with serial adjustments for age, sex, and education (model A, primary model), additionally for APOE ⑀4 and plasma homocysteine (model B), and also for physical activity and body mass index (model C), or for traditional vascular risk factors (model D). Results:Participants with RBC DHA levels in the lowest quartile (Q1) when compared to others (Q2-4) had lower total brain and greater white matter hyperintensity volumes (for model A: ␤ Ϯ SE ϭ Ϫ0.49 Ϯ 0.19; p ϭ 0.009, and 0.12 Ϯ 0.06; p ϭ 0.049, respectively) with persistence of the association with total brain volume in multivariable analyses. Participants with lower DHA and -3 index (RBC DHAϩEPA) levels (Q1 vs Q2-4) also had lower scores on tests of visual memory (␤ Ϯ SE ϭ Ϫ0.47 Ϯ 0.18; p ϭ 0.008), executive function (␤ Ϯ SE ϭ Ϫ0.07 Ϯ 0.03; p ϭ 0.004), and abstract thinking (␤ Ϯ SE ϭ Ϫ0.52 Ϯ 0.18; p ϭ 0.004) in model A, the results remaining significant in all models. Conclusion:Lower RBC DHA levels are associated with smaller brain volumes and a "vascular" pattern of cognitive impairment even in persons free of clinical dementia. Neurology ® 2012;78:658-664 GLOSSARY AD ϭ Alzheimer disease; BMI ϭ body mass index; DHA ϭ docosahexaenoic acid; DM ϭ diabetes mellitus; EPA ϭ eicosapentaenoic acid; LM-d ϭ delayed recall components of the Logical Memory test; NP ϭ neuropsychological; PAI ϭ physical activity index; PUFA ϭ polyunsaturated fatty acid; RBC ϭ red blood cell; SBP ϭ systolic blood pressure; SCI ϭ silent cerebral infarct; SIM ϭ Similarities test; TCBV ϭ total cerebral brain volume; THV ϭ temporal horn volume; VR-d ϭ delayed recall component of the Visual Reproductions test; WMHV ϭ white matter hyperintensity volume.Higher fish intake has been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular mortality 1,2 and stroke.3 While several large epidemiologic studies 4,5 have shown an association between the estimated intake of fatty fish and a lower risk for dementia, some other investigations have failed to confirm such a protective association. 6 One possible reason for these inconsistent results is the limited ability of dietary recall surveys and food frequency questionnaires to quantify blood levels of fatty acids. 7,8 In the Framingham original cohort, participants in the top quartile of plasma phosphatidylcholine docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels had 37% and 47% lower risks of Alzheimer disease (AD) and all-cause dementia, respectively.9 Red blood ...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

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Red blood cell omega-3 fatty acid levels and markers of accelerated brain aging

et al. 2012

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“…Results for other nutrients studied (antioxidants, dietary patterns, multivitamins) are not presented here. Of the 33 included papers, 19 were cohort studies including 11 on folate, other B-group vitamins and/or homocysteine [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] and eight on fish, DHA or EPA [37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44]. The remaining 14 were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including ten on folic acid with or without other B-group vitamins [45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54], and four on mixed fatty acids [55][56][57][58].…”

Section: Overall Search Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

B-Vitamins and Fatty Acids in the Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia: A Systematic Review

Dangour

Whitehouse

Rafferty

et al. 2010

JAD

110

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Abstract. The increasing worldwide prevalence of dementia is a major public health concern. Findings from some epidemiological studies suggest that diet and nutrition may be important modifiable risk factors for development of dementia. In order to evaluate the strength of the available evidence of an association of dietary factors with dementia including Alzheimer's disease (AD), we systematically searched relevant publication databases and hand-searched bibliographies up to end July 2007. We included prospective cohort studies which evaluated the association of nutrient levels with the risk of developing dementia and randomized intervention studies examining the treatment effect of nutrient supplementation on cognitive function. One hundred and sixty studies, comprising ninety one prospective cohort studies and sixty nine intervention studies, met the pre-specified inclusion criteria. Of these, thirty-three studies (19 cohort and 14 randomized controlled trials) investigated the effects of folate, B-vitamins, and levels of homocysteine (a biomarker modifiable through B-vitamin supplementation) or fish/fatty acids and are the focus of the present report. Some observational cohort studies indicated that higher dietary intake or elevated serum levels of folate and fish/fatty acids and low serum levels of homocysteine were associated with a reduced risk of incident AD and dementia, while other studies reported no association. The results of intervention studies examining the effects of folic acid or fatty acid supplementation on cognitive function are inconsistent. In summary, the available evidence is insufficient to draw definitive conclusions on the association of B vitamins and fatty acids with cognitive decline or dementia, and further long-term trials are required.

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“…A consensus conference assigned 2 diagnoses for each person examined, one according to the criteria used in CSHA-1 and the other according to the more recent DSM-IV criteria for AD (8) and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke-Association internationale pour la recherche et l'enseignement en neurosciences (NINDS-AIREN) criteria for vascular dementia (9). Blood samples were collected from some of those who were clinically examined, and apolipoprotein E (apoE) status and levels of omega-3 fatty acids were determined (10,11). Where participants had died before or during the follow-up study, the date and cause of death were obtained from the relevant provincial registrar of vital statistics; as well, a relative or other informant was interviewed to assess the subject's physical and cognitive status 3 months prior to death.…”

Section: First Follow-up (Csha-2)mentioning

confidence: 99%

More Than the Epidemiology of Alzheimer's Disease: Contributions of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging

Lindsay

Sykes²,

McDowell

et al. 2004

Can J Psychiatry

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Objective: To highlight contributions to knowledge made by the Canadian Study of Health and Aging (CSHA). Method:The CSHA began in 1991, with follow-ups in 1996 and 2001. It was national in scope, with 18 study centres and a coordinating centre. It included 10 263 participants; of these, 9008 were in the community, and 1255 were in institutions. In each phase, community participants were screened for cognitive impairment, and where appropriate, cognitive status was determined by a detailed clinical examination. Data on possible risk factors for dementia were collected at baseline. Data on caring for people with dementia were collected in each phase. Results:The prevalence of dementia was established at 8% of those aged 65 years and over; incidence (new cases each year) was about 2%. Cognitive impairment not dementia (CIND) was more than twice as common as dementia. Factors affecting the risk of institutionalization, mortality, and the health of caregivers were examined. The costs of dementia were conservatively estimated at $3.9 billion in 1991. Risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia are presented; it is noteworthy that physical activity appeared to protect against all forms of cognitive decline, particularly for women. Clinical contributions include the development of norms for several neuropsychological tests. Other topics include the health of those with CIND, predicting dementia, medication use, frailty and healthy aging, and urinary incontinence. Conclusion:The CSHA has contributed substantially to knowledge of the epidemiology of dementia, including AD, and to many other topics relevant to seniors' health. Clinical Implications · Neuropsychological test norms were developed for the cognitively normal population aged 65 years and over, thereby characterizing normal cognitive aging. · Use of statins and other lipid-lowering agents was associated with lower risk of Alzheimer's disease in those under age 80 years but not in those aged 80 years and over. · The protective effect of physical activity on risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, if verified by further research, has important implications for disease prevention. Limitations· The study was restricted to people who were fluent in either English or French; therefore, those whose first language is neither English nor French may be underrepresented. · Coverage of rural areas was limited. · The time between follow-ups was 5 years. A shorter interval would have been better. However, we did obtain information about those who died before each follow-up.

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Omega-3 fatty acids and risk of cognitive impairment and dementia

Cited by 129 publications

References 34 publications

Red blood cell omega-3 fatty acid levels and markers of accelerated brain aging

Red blood cell omega-3 fatty acid levels and markers of accelerated brain aging

B-Vitamins and Fatty Acids in the Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia: A Systematic Review

More Than the Epidemiology of Alzheimer's Disease: Contributions of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging

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