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
Article
Article Title | 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 |
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ERA Journal ID | 13453 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Sinn, Natalie (Author), Milte, Catherine M. (Author), Street, Steven J. (Author), Buckley, Jonathan D. (Author), Coates, Alison M. (Author), Petkov, John (Author) and Howe, Peter R. C. (Author) |
Journal Title | The British Journal of Nutrition: an international journal of nutritional science |
Journal Citation | 107 (11), pp. 1682-1693 |
Number of Pages | 12 |
Year | 2012 |
Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
Place of Publication | United Kingdom |
ISSN | 0007-1145 |
1475-2662 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114511004788 |
Web Address (URL) | https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/effects-of-n3-fatty-acids-epa-v-dha-on-depressive-symptoms-quality-of-life-memory-and-executive-function-in-older-adults-with-mild-cognitive-impairment-a-6month-randomised-contro |
Abstract | 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•67g EPA+0•16g DHA/d; n 17), DHA (1•55g DHA+0•40g EPA/d; n 18) or the n-6 PUFA linoleic acid (LA; 2•2g/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. |
Keywords | Dementia; Depression; DHA; EPA; Mild cognitive impairment; n-3 Fatty acids; Lipids, Glycolipids, and Polysaccharides; Memory and Learning; Public Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology; Psychiatry; Drug Literature Index |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 321099. Nutrition and dietetics not elsewhere classified |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | University of South Australia |
Queensland University of Technology | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q4104/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
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