The relationship of omega-3 fatty acids with dementia and cognitive decline: evidence from perspective cohort studies of supplementation, dietary intake, and blood markers
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Previous data have linked omega-3 fatty acid with risk of dementia.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the longitudinal relationships of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids intake as well as blood biomarkers with the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD), dementia or cognitive decline.
METHODS
Longitudinal data were derived from 1,135 participants without dementia (mean age = 73 years) in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) cohort to evaluate the associations of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and blood biomarkers with incident AD during 6-year follow-up. A meta-analysis of published cohort studies was further conducted to test the longitudinal relationships of dietary intake of omega-3 and its peripheral markers with all-cause dementia or cognitive decline. Causal dose-response analyses were conducted using the robust error meta-regression model.
RESULTS
In the ADNI cohort, long-term users of omega-3 fatty acid supplements exhibited a 64% reduced risk of AD (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.54 to 0.96, p = 0.005). After incorporating 48 longitudinal studies involving 103,651 participants, moderate-to-high level of evidence suggested that dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids could lower the risk of all-cause dementia or cognitive decline by ∼20% , especially for DHA intake (Relative risk [RR] = 0.82, I2 =63.6%, p = 0.001) and for studies that adjusted for APOE ε4 status (RR = 0.83, I2 =65%, p = 0.006). Each increment of 0.1 g per…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 103,651 participants or records.
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