Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation effects on weight and appetite in patients with Alzheimer's disease: the omega-3 Alzheimer's disease study.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of omega (Omega)-3 fatty acid (FA) supplements on weight and appetite in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) in relation to inflammatory biomarkers and apolipoprotein E epsilon4 (APOEepsilon4).


METHODS
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.


METHODS
Specialist memory clinics in the Stockholm catchment area.


METHODS
Two hundred four patients (aged 73+/-9, 52% women) with mild to moderate AD.


METHODS
Patients with AD received 1.7 g of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and 0.6 g of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (Omega-3/Omega-3 group; n=89, aged 73+/-9, 57% women) or placebo 0.6 g of linoleic acid per day (placebo/Omega-3 group; n=85, aged 73+/-9, 46% women) for 6 months. After 6 months, all patients received DHA and EPA for another 6 months.


METHODS
Anthropometry, biochemical nutritional and inflammatory markers, and appetite assessed by caregiver.


RESULTS
Mean weight and body mass index (kg/m(2)) at baseline were 70.0+/-11.8 kg and 24.3+/-3.0 kg/m(2), respectively. At 6- and 12-month follow-up, weight had increased 0.7+/-2.5 kg (P=.02) and 1.4+/-2.9 kg (P<.001) in the Omega-3/Omega-3 group. In the placebo group, weight was unchanged at 6 months but had increased (P=.01) at 12 months follow-up after Omega-3 supplementation was initiated. Appetite improved in the Omega-3/Omega-3 group over the treatment period (P=.01). In logistic regression analyses, not carrying the APOEepsilon4 allele and high plasma DHA concentrations were independently related to weight gain in the combined group of patients at 6 months follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
A DHA-enriched Omega-3 FA supplement may positively affect weight and appetite in patients with mild to moderate AD. Not carrying the APOEepsilon4 allele and high DHA were independently associated with weight gain.
Irving
Gerd Faxén
GF
Department of Neurobiology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University, Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden. gerd.faxen.irving@ki.se
Freund-Levi
Yvonne
Y
Eriksdotter-Jönhagen
Maria
M
Basun
Hans
H
Brismar
Kerstin
K
Hjorth
Erik
E
Palmblad
Jan
J
Vessby
Bengt
B
Vedin
Inger
I
Wahlund
Lars-Olof
LO
Cederholm
Tommy
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4 / Q000097:blood; D001066:Appetite / Q000187:drug effects*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D015415:Biomarkers; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3