Effects of n-3 fatty acids, EPA v. DHA, on depressive symptoms, quality of life, memory and executive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a 6-month randomised controlled trial
Open accessAbstract
Depressive symptoms may increase the risk of progressing from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia. Consumption of n-3 PUFA may alleviate both cognitive decline and depression. The aim of the present study was to investigate the benefits of supplementing a diet with n-3 PUFA, DHA and EPA, for depressive symptoms, quality of life (QOL) and cognition in elderly people with MCI. We conducted a 6-month double-blind, randomised controlled trial. A total of fifty people aged >65 years with MCI were allocated to receive a supplement rich in EPA (1·67 g EPA+0·16 g DHA/d;n 17), DHA (1·55 g DHA+0·40 g EPA/d;n 18) or the n-6 PUFA linoleic acid (LA; 2·2 g/d;n 15). Treatment allocation was by minimisation based on age, sex and depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale, GDS). Physiological and cognitive assessments, questionnaires and fatty acid composition of erythrocytes were obtained at baseline and 6 months (completers:n 40; EPA n 13, DHA n 16, LA n 11). Compared with the LA group, GDS scores improved in the EPA (P = 0·04) and DHA (P = 0·01) groups and verbal fluency (Initial Letter Fluency) in the DHA group (P = 0·04). Improved GDS scores were correlated with increased DHA plus EPA (r 0·39,P = 0·02). Improved self-reported physical health was associated with increased DHA. There were no treatment effects on other cognitive or QOL parameters. Increased intakes of DHA and EPA benefited mental health in older people with MCI. Increasing n-3 PUFA intakes may reduce depressive symptoms and the risk of progressing to dementia. This needs to be investigated in larger, depressed samples with MCI.
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Dietary n-3 LCPUFA EPA and DHA have been associated with a decreased risk of chronic diseases, in particular CVD and cognitive decline.
“Dietary n-3 LCPUFA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3), have been associated with a decreased risk of chronic diseases, in particular CVD [3] and cognitive decline [4].”
From Role of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in human nutrition and health: Review of recent studies and recommendations (2021) · cites this paper as [4]
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- Authors
- Sinn, N., Milte, C. M., Street, S. J., Buckley, J. D., Coates, A. M., Petkov, J., & Howe, P. R. C.
- Affiliations
- University of South Australia (AU)
- Queensland University of Technology (AU)
- Venue
- British Journal of Nutrition
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 2011-09-20
- Volume
- 107
- Issue
- 11
- Pages
- 1682-1693
- ISSN
- 0007-1145 (ISSN-L)
- 1475-2662
- OpenAlex
- W2147140002
- Cited by
- 297
- References
- 61
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 25 · 2016: 29 · 2015: 28 · 2014: 37 · 2013: 22 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 19.48
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- British Journal Of Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- eCite Digital Repository (University of Tasmania) (submittedVersion)
- UniSA Research Outputs Repository (University of South Australia) (submittedVersion)
- Adelaide Research & Scholarship (AR&S) (University of Adelaide) (submittedVersion)
- Figshare (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
- Keywords
- omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, depressive symptoms, mild cognitive impairment, quality of life, memory, executive function, older adults, dietary supplementation, linoleic acid, erythrocyte fatty acids, verbal fluency, dementia risk
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Australia, Cognition Disorders, Depression, Docosahexaenoic Acids, Erythrocytes, Female, Fish Oils, Humans, Male, Memory Disorders, Patient Dropouts, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Quality of Life, Severity of Illness Index, Speech Disorders, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Fatty Acids, Omega-3, Dietary Supplements, Executive Function
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