journal articles
EFFECT OF HIGH DOSE FISH OIL SUPPLEMENTATION ON CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE IN PATIENTS WITH MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT: A PROOF OF CONCEPT STUDY
O. van de Rest, J.A. Claassen, R.P.C. Kessels, J.M. Geleijnse, M.G.M. OldeRikkert, L.C.P.G.M. de Groot
J Aging Res Clin Practice 2013;2(4):325-332
Objective: The current study aimed to examine the effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on cerebral blood flow and age-related loss of cognitive functioning in subjects diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Design, setting and participants: A total of 20 patients with single or multiple domain MCI took part in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, wherein we investigated the effects of four weeks of daily supplementation with either a high pharmacological dose of 3 g eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (n=10) or placebo (n=10) on cerebral blood flow and cognitive performance. Measurements: Cerebral blood flow and cortical oxygenation were measured by Transcranial Doppler and Near Infrared Spectroscopy together with blood pressure measurements using Finapres. Cognitive function was assessed by sensitive neuropsychological tests measuring reaction times, episodic memory and attention. Results: Daily supplementation with EPA+DHA for 4 weeks had no effect on cerebral hemodynamics or blood pressure. All subjects improved on most of the neuropsychological tests, but there was no difference between the fish oil and the placebo groups. Conclusions: In this randomized controlled trial in MCI patients, daily supplementation with EPA+DHA for four weeks had no effect on cerebral hemodynamics, blood pressure, or cognitive performance.