title: Omega-3 supplementation and loneliness-related memory problems: secondary analyses of a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Loneliness enhances risk for episodic memory declines over time. Omega-3 supplementation can improve cognitive function for people experiencing mild cognitive difficulties. Accordingly, we explored whether omega-3 supplementation would attenuate loneliness-related episodic memory problems.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (n = 138) from a parent randomized controlled trial were randomized to the placebo, 1.25 grams/d of omega-3, or 2.50 grams/d of omega-3 conditions for a 4-month period. They completed a baseline loneliness questionnaire and a battery of cognitive tests both at baseline and at the end of the randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjustment for baseline verbal episodic memory scores, lonelier people within the placebo condition had poorer verbal episodic memory postsupplementation, as measured by immediate (b = -0.28, t (117) = -2.62, p = .010) and long-delay (b = -0.06, t (116) = -2.07, p = .040) free recall, than their less lonely counterparts. This effect was not observed in the 1.25- and 2.50-grams/d supplementation groups (all p values > .10). The plasma omega-6:omega-3 ratio data mirrored these results. There were no loneliness-related effects of omega-3 supplementation on short-delay recall or the other cognitive tests (all p values > .32).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that omega-3 supplementation attenuates loneliness-related verbal episodic memory declines over time and support the use of exploring novel interventions for treating episodic memory problems among lonely people.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00385723.
authors.affiliation: From the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research (L.M.J., H.M.D., W.B.M., J.K.K.-G.), Departments of Psychiatry (R.B., J.K.K.-G.) and Internal Medicine (W.B.M.), College of Public Health (J.P., R.R.A.), and Comprehensive Cancer Center (W.B.M., J.K.K.-G.), The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio; and Departments of Psychology (H.M.D., R.S.P.) and Human Nutrition (M.A.B.), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Jaremka
authors.forename: Heather M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Derry
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bornstein
authors.forename: Ruchika Shaurya
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Prakash
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Martha A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Belury
authors.forename: Rebecca R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Andridge
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Malarkey
authors.forename: Janice K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kiecolt-Glaser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008132:Loneliness / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6