Omega 3 fatty acid for the prevention of dementia.
BACKGROUND
Accruing evidence from observational and epidemiological studies suggests an inverse relationship between dietary intake of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and risk of dementia. Postulated mechanisms that might qualify omega 3 PUFA as an interventional target for the primary prevention of dementia include its anti-atherogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-amyloid and neuroprotective properties.


OBJECTIVE
To review the evidence that omega 3 PUFA supplementation prevents cognitive impairment and dementia in cognitively intact elderly persons.


METHODS
The Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group's (CDCIG) Specialized register, MEDLINE, EMBASE,CINAHL PsycINFO, AMED AND CENTRAL and several ongoing trials databases were searched on 5 and 6 October 2005. The CDCIG Register is updated regularly and contains records from all major medical databases and many ongoing trials databases.


METHODS
In order to be selected, trials needed to be randomized, placebo-controlled, doubled blinded, of minimum study duration of 6 months, involved persons aged 60 years and above without pre-existing dementia at study onset, and employed cognitive endpoints.


METHODS
Reviewers, working independently, were to select, quality assess and extract relevant data where appropriate and possible. In comparing intervention with placebo, the pooled odds ratios or weighted mean differences and standardized mean difference were to be estimated.


RESULTS
There were no randomized trials found in the search that met the selection criteria. Results of two clinical trials are expected in 2008.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a growing body of evidence from biological, observational and epidemiological studies that suggests a protective effect of omega 3 PUFA against dementia. However, until data from randomized trials become available for analysis, there is no good evidence to support the use of dietary or supplemental omega 3 PUFA for the prevention of cognitive impairment or dementia.
Lim
W S
WS
Department of Geriatric Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, Singapore, 308433. Wee_Shiong_Lim@ttsh.com.sg
Gammack
J K
JK
Van Niekerk
J
J
Dangour
A D
AD
D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003704:Dementia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3