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Docosahexaenoic acid-concentrated fish oil supplementation in subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI): a 12-month randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

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Abstract

Rationale

Epidemiological studies have suggested a beneficial effect of fish oil supplementation in halting the initial progression of Alzheimer’s disease. However, it remains unclear whether fish oil affects cognitive function in older people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Objectives

This study investigated the effects of fish oil supplementation on cognitive function in elderly person with MCI.

Methods

This was a 12-month, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study using fish oil supplementation with concentrated docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Thirty six low-socioeconomic-status elderly subjects with MCI were randomly assigned to receive either concentrated DHA fish oil (n = 18) or placebo (n = 18) capsules. The changes of memory, psychomotor speed, executive function and attention, and visual-constructive skills were assessed using cognitive tests. Secondary outcomes were safety and tolerability of the DHA concentrate.

Results

The fish oil group showed significant improvement in short-term and working memory (F = 9.890; ηp 2 = 0.254; p < 0.0001), immediate verbal memory (F = 3.715; ηp 2 = 0.114; p < 0.05) and delayed recall capability (F = 3.986; ηp 2 = 0.121; p < 0.05). The 12-month change in memory (p < 0.01) was significantly better in the fish oil group. Fish oil consumption was well tolerated, and the side effects were minimal and self-limiting.

Conclusions

This study suggested the potential role of fish oil to improve memory function in MCI subjects. Studies with larger sample sizes, longer intervention periods, different fish oil dosages and genetic determinations should be investigated before definite recommendations can be made.

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Abbreviations

AD:

Alzheimer’s disease

ADAS-cog:

Cognitive section of the AD Assessment Scale

ANCOVA:

Analysis of covariance

CDT:

Clock drawing test

DHA:

Docosahexaenoic acid

EPA:

Eicosapentaenoic acid

GDS:

Geriatric depression scale

MCI:

Mild cognitive impairment

MMSE:

Mini-mental state examination

PUFAs:

Polyunsaturated fatty acids

RAVLT:

Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test

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Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the Research University (grant number UKM-GUP-SK-07-21-041) grant scheme from the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Disclosure statement

Both the fish oil and placebo capsules were provided by the EPAX AS, Lysaker, Norway. The authors have no conflicts of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Health Care Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Suzana Shahar

  2. Nutrition Science Program, School of Health Care Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Lai Kuan Lee

  3. Department of Geriatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Ai-Vyrn Chin

  4. Faculty of Therapeutic Sciences, Masterskill University College of Health Sciences, Cheras, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

    Noor Aini Mohd Yusoff

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  1. Lai Kuan Lee
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  2. Suzana Shahar
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  4. Noor Aini Mohd Yusoff
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Correspondence to Suzana Shahar.

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Lee, L.K., Shahar, S., Chin, AV. et al. Docosahexaenoic acid-concentrated fish oil supplementation in subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI): a 12-month randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Psychopharmacology 225, 605–612 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-012-2848-0

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