A recent clinical trial indicates that certain older adults who have a genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease might gain advantages from taking fish oil supplements.
A recent clinical trial conducted at Oregon Health & Science University found that certain older adults with a genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease may benefit from fish oil supplements.
The study adds to the ongoing discussion surrounding the potential benefits of fish oil supplements on brain health, particularly for individuals experiencing memory issues. It was found that while fish oil did not provide significant benefits for the general older adult population, those with a specific gene related to Alzheimer’s experienced a reduction in the deterioration of brain nerve cells.
The senior co-author of the study from OHSU mentioned that fish oil could be beneficial for individuals who possess the APOE4 gene—known to elevate the risk of developing Alzheimer’s—but it may not be necessary for all older adults.
“Our results indicated that over a three-year period, there wasn’t a significant difference between those taking fish oil and those on a placebo,” reported Lynne Shinto, N.D., M.P.H., a professor of neurology at OHSU School of Medicine. “While I don’t believe it would cause harm, I wouldn’t recommend fish oil solely for dementia prevention.”
The trial involved 102 participants aged 75 and above who had low levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood, which are present in fish oil. At the start of the study and again at the end of three years, participants underwent MRIs to evaluate changes in white matter lesions in the brain. These lesions can obstruct nutrient flow through blood vessels to the brain, potentially increasing the risk of dementia in later stages of life.
All participants had relatively high white matter lesions yet were otherwise in good health and did not have dementia.
Half of those in the study received omega-3 enriched fish oil daily, while the other half took a placebo made from soybean oil. The initial and final MRIs showed a slight decrease in the progression of white matter lesions, but the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant.
Interestingly, among those with the APOE4 gene, the researchers noted a significant reduction in the deterioration of brain cell integrity within just one year of beginning fish oil treatment, compared to the soybean oil group.
“This is the first dementia prevention study to employ contemporary prevention strategies, including blood tests and brain scans, to pinpoint individuals at heightened risk and those likely to benefit from specific nutritional treatments,” stated Gene Bowman, N.D., M.P.H., who directs clinical trials and teaches neurology at the McCance Center for Brain Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School. “The observation that the breakdown of brain cell integrity was slowed in participants who took omega-3 and were also at high risk for Alzheimer’s is noteworthy and calls for further research in a broader range of populations.”
Bowman has previously worked at OHSU, where this clinical trial was conducted.
