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Cited by 296Fatty Acid Research and HealthDementia and Cognitive Impairment ResearchNutritional Studies and Diet

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 48 of the 50 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Effect of 2-y n−3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on cognitive function in older people: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial

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Dangour, Alan D, Allen, Elizabeth, Elbourne, Diana, Fasey, Nicky, Fletcher, Astrid E, Hardy, Pollyanna, Holder, Graham E, Knight, Rosemary, Letley, Louise, Richards, Marcus, Uauy, Ricardo·2010·The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
DOI 10.3945/ajcn.2009.29121
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Abstract

Background Increased consumption of n-3 (omega-3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC PUFAs), especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), may maintain cognitive function in later life.Objective We tested the hypothesis that n-3 LC PUFA supplementation would benefit cognitive function in cognitively healthy older people.Design At total of 867 cognitively healthy adults, aged 70-79 y, from 20 general practices in England and Wales were randomly assigned into a double-blind controlled trial of daily capsules providing 200 mg EPA plus 500 mg DHA or olive oil for 24 mo. Treatment-allocation codes were obtained from a central computerized randomization service. Trained research nurses administered a battery of cognitive tests, including the primary outcome, the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), at baseline and 24 mo. Intention-to-treat analysis of covariance, with adjustment for baseline cognitive scores, age, sex, and age at leaving full-time education, included 748 (86%) individuals who completed the study.Results The mean age of participants was 75 y; 55% of the participants were men. Withdrawals and deaths were similar in active (n = 49 and n = 9, respectively) and placebo (n = 53 and n = 8, respectively) arms. Mean (+/-SD) serum EPA and DHA concentrations were significantly higher in the active arm than in the placebo arm at 24 mo (49.9 +/- 2.7 mg EPA/L in the active arm compared with 39.1 +/- 3.1 mg EPA/L in the placebo arm; 95.6 +/- 3.1 mg DHA/L in the active arm compared with 70.7 +/- 2.9 mg DHA/L in the placebo arm). There was no change in cognitive function scores over 24 mo, and intention-to-treat analysis showed no significant differences between trial arms at 24 mo in the CVLT or any secondary cognitive outcome.Conclusions Cognitive function did not decline in either study arm over 24 mo. The lack of decline in the control arm and the relatively short intervention period may have limited our ability to detect any potential beneficial effect of fish oil on cognitive function in this study. The Older People And n-3 Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (OPAL) Study was registered at www.controlled-trials.com as ISRCTN 72331636.

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  1. Goldberg D. The detection of psychiatric illness by questionnaire. London, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press, 1972.

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Metadata

Authors
Dangour, A. D., Allen, E., Elbourne, D., Fasey, N., Fletcher, A. E., Hardy, P., Holder, G. E., Knight, R., Letley, L., Richards, M., & Uauy, R.
Affiliations
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (GB)
ORCID
Venue
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2010-06
Volume
91
Issue
6
Pages
1725-1732
ISSN
0002-9165 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3945/ajcn.2009.29121
OpenAlex
W2168895330
Cited by
296
References
50
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 23 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 35 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 22 · 2012: 23
FWCI
24.31
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • National University of Singapore (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • UCL Discovery (University College London) (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
acids, omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, fish oil supplementation, cognitive function, older adults, cognitive decline, verbal learning, olive oil placebo, cognitive aging, recall and recognition, attention and processing speed, executive function, visuospatial ability, psychomotor speed
MeSH terms
Aged, Cognition, Double-Blind Method, Female, Humans, Male, Neuropsychological Tests, Patient Compliance, Fatty Acids, Omega-3, Dietary Supplements

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