Omega-3 fatty acids and domain-specific cognitive aging

Secondary analyses of data from WHISCA

Eric M. Ammann, MS,
James V. Pottala, PhD,
William S. Harris, PhD,
Mark A. Espeland, PhD,
Robert Wallace, MD, MSc,
Natalie L. Denburg, PhD,
Ryan M. Carnahan, PharmD, MS and
Jennifer G. Robinson, MD, MPH

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Correspondence to Eric Ammann: eric-ammann@uiowa.edu

Published online before print September 25, 2013, doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182a9584c Neurology 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182a9584c

Abstract
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Abstract

Objective: To test the hypothesis that higher levels of red blood cell (RBC) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) have a protective association with domain-specific cognitive function in women aged 65 years and older.

Methods: A total of 2,157 women with normal cognition enrolled in a clinical trial of postmenopausal hormone therapy were followed with annual cognitive testing for a median of 5.9 years. In this retrospective cohort study, we assessed the relationship between prerandomization RBC DHA + EPA levels and a) cognitive measures at baseline, and b) cognitive change over time. Endpoints were composite cognitive function and performance in 7 cognitive domains: fine motor speed, verbal memory, visual memory, spatial ability, verbal knowledge, verbal fluency, and working memory.

Results: After adjustment for demographic, clinical, and behavioral characteristics, no significant (p < 0.01) cross-sectional cognitive differences were found between women in the high and low DHA + EPA tertiles at the time of the first annual cognitive battery. In addition, no significant (p < 0.01) differences were found between the high and low DHA + EPA tertiles in the rate of cognitive change over time.

Conclusions: We did not find an association between RBC DHA + EPA levels and age-associated cognitive decline in a cohort of older, dementia-free women.