Impact of Omega-3 fatty acid Supplementation on Global Cognitive Function among Healthy and Althahimer’s disease Elders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Mahmoud Hefnawy1, Rehab Diab2, Maged Elsayed1, Ahmed Abdelaziz2, Adel Mouffokes3, Toka Elboraay1, Qasi Najah4, Ahmed Sami Aljbaly5, Ahmed Negida1
1Zagazig University, faculty of medicine, Egypt, 2Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Egypt, 3Faculty of Medicine, University of Oran, Algeria, 4Faculty of Medicine, University of AL-Mergib, Libya, 5Jordan University Of Science And Technology, Jordan
Objective:

This study investigated the role of LCn-3PUFA in global cognitive function among healthy and Alzheimer's disease (AD) elders considering their baseline cognitive performance.

Background:

Cognitive decline is a core feature of the aging brain. Supplementation with Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCn-3PUFA) is widely used to manage dementia among elders, however the conflict about its effectiveness.


Design/Methods:

Five electronic databases were searched (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane library, and Embase) for healthy or AD elders above 60 years old receiving LCn-3PUFA as a capsule supplementation, only randomized clinical trials that assess the global cognitive function were included, we investigated the global cognitive function by the mini-mental state examination scale (MMSE).

Results:

A total of 7409 citations were identified of which 13 citations were included in the final synthesis. The pooled Cohen’s d of MMSE favored the omega arm over the control arm in global cognitive performance (Cohen’s d -0.19, 95% CI (-0.27 to -0.10), P<0.001), however, the studies were not homogeneous, the subgroup analysis showed that only healthy elders receiving LCn-3PUFA had significant results while no significant change was found among AD patients (Cohen’s d -0.20, 95% CI (-0.29 to -0.11), P<0.001), (Cohen’s d -0.14, 95% CI (-0.36 to 0.09), P=0.16) respectively. Another subgroup analysis based on the baseline cognitive performance revealed that only healthy elders with no cognitive impairment showed significant results that favored the omega group (Cohen’s d -0.23, 95% CI (-0.33 to -0.13), P<0.001), however, no significant change were recorded in elders with cognitive impairment ranging from mild to moderate (Cohen’s d -0.08, 95% CI (-0.25 to 0.09), P=0.33).

Conclusions:

Healthy elders with normal cognitive performance showed a significant benefit from LCn-3PUFA in global cognitive function, however, no significant change was recorded among elders with mild to moderate cognitive impairment or among elders with AD. 

10.1212/WNL.0000000000202164