Omega-3, omega-6, and polyunsaturated fat for cognition: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials

Brainard, Julii S., Jimoh, Oluseyi F. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4296-2729, Deane, Katherine H. O. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0805-2708, Biswas, Priti, Donaldson, Daisy, Maas, Katie, Abdelhamid, Asmaa S. and Hooper, Lee ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7904-3331 and PUFAH group (2020) Omega-3, omega-6, and polyunsaturated fat for cognition: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 21 (10). 1439-1450.e21. ISSN 1525-8610

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Abstract

Objectives: Neurocognitive function may be influenced by polyunsaturated fat intake. Many older adults consume omega-3 supplements hoping to prevent cognitive decline. We assessed effects of increasing omega-3, omega-6, or total polyunsaturated fats on new neurocognitive illness and cognition. Design and inclusion criteria: We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in adults, with duration ≥24 weeks, assessing effects of higher vs lower omega-3, omega-6, or total polyunsaturated fats and outcomes: new neurocognitive illness, newly impaired cognition, and/or continuous measures of cognition. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, and trials registers (final update of ongoing trials December 2018). We duplicated screening, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment. Neurocognitive measures were grouped to enable random effects meta-analysis. GRADE assessment, sensitivity analyses, and subgrouping by dose, duration, type of intervention, and replacement were used to interrogate our findings. Results: Searches generated 37,810 hits, from which we included 38 RCTs (41 comparisons, 49,757 participants). Meta-analysis suggested no or very little effect of long-chain omega-3 on new neurocognitive illness [risk ratio (RR) 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.87-1.10, 6 RCTs, 33,496 participants, I2 36%), new cognitive impairment (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.92-1.06, 5 RCTs, 33,296 participants, I2 0%) or global cognition assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MD 0.10, 95% CI 0.03-0.16, 13 RCTs, 14,851 participants, I2 0%), all moderate-quality evidence. Effects did not differ with sensitivity analyses, and we found no differential effects by dose, duration, intervention type, or replacement. Effects of increasing α-linolenic acid, omega-6, or total PUFA were unclear. Conclusions: This extensive trial data set enabled assessment of effects on neurocognitive illness and cognitive decline not previously adequately assessed. Long-chain omega-3 probably has little or no effect on new neurocognitive outcomes or cognitive impairment.

Item Type: Article
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Health Sciences
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Epidemiology and Public Health
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > UEA Hydrate Group
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Institute for Volunteering Research
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Dementia & Complexity in Later Life
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Lifespan Health
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Population Health
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Services and Primary Care
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Norwich Institute for Healthy Aging
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Nutrition and Preventive Medicine
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Promotion
Depositing User: LivePure Connector
Date Deposited: 11 Nov 2024 17:30
Last Modified: 12 Nov 2024 10:30
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/97622
DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2020.02.022

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