High dietary and plasma levels of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid are associated with decreased dementia risk: the Rancho Bernardo study.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the association of plasma DHA, dietary DHA, and fish intake with dementia and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) in older adults.


METHODS
Case-cohort study.


METHODS
Clinic visit in 1991-93.


METHODS
266 community dwelling men and women aged 67-100 years (mean=80.2).


METHODS
Participants had neurological and neuropsychological evaluations for dementia in 1991-93. Plasma DHA was measured in blood samples obtained at that visit. Dietary intakes of DHA and fish were obtained from an earlier (1988-91) visit. Three DHA exposure variables were used in separate analyses; plasma DHA, dietary DHA, and consumption of cold-water fish. All-cause dementia included AD and other types of possible or probable dementia.


RESULTS
Among these 266 participants, 42 had dementia and 30 had possible or probable AD. Plasma DHA in the highest tertile was associated with a 65% reduced odds of all-cause dementia (95% CI: 0.17, 0.92) and a 60% reduced odds of AD (95% CI: 0.15, 1.10). Dietary DHA in the highest tertile was associated with a 73% reduced odds of all-cause dementia (95% CI: 0.09, 0.79) and a 72% reduced odds of AD (95% CI: 0.09, 0.93). Fish intake had similar, though not significant, reduced odds of dementia (OR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.20, 1.32) and AD (OR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.20, 1.48).


CONCLUSIONS
Plasma and dietary DHA appear to protect against dementia. Increasing DHA intake from marine sources may be recommended for reducing dementia risk.
Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.
L B
LB
Lopez
Donna
D
Kritz-Silverstein
Elizabeth
E
Barrett Connor
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D016017:Odds Ratio
D004041:Dietary Fats; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids
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