Money Matters, Simplified.
Fish oil supplements ineffective in slowing Alzheimer's progression
by Neha Gupta - November 3, 2010 - comments
Despite the fact that the blood and cerebrospinal fluid levels of DHA had risen in the treatment group, both the groups fared same on two different measures of cognitive function.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), one of the main components of fish oil, is ineffective at slowing down progression of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a novel study.
Earlier studies had claimed that the supplement might help in the treatment of such patients. However, the recent study, funded by the U.S. National Institute on Aging, reveals that it is not totally true.
"Unfortunately, we have a very solid, but very negative, result that DHA supplementation did not slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease," study author Dr. Joseph Quinn said during a Tuesday news conference.
"It's not going to help once a patient has already reached the point where they're able to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Maybe the study just started the treatment too late."
However, the study authors do not completely rule out the slight possibility that the supplementation doses if given at an earlier stage might help in preventing the disorder.
The study details
The study conducted by researchers at the Oregon Health and Science University looked at 400 men and women, aged 76 years on an average.
The participants were suffering from mild to moderate Alzheimer's, meaning "they had enough of an impairment to justify a diagnosis but are living at home, interacting with families and enjoying a pretty good quality of life," Quinn said. "These are people for whom slowing the rate of progression would really make a difference."
They were then divided into two groups on a random basis. While one group was given 2 grams daily of DHA, the other was administered a placebo.
The brains of the participants were scanned for any shrinkage and they were then given standard cognitive tests accordingly.
Revelations of the research
Despite the fact that the blood and cerebrospinal fluid levels of DHA had risen in the treatment group, both the groups fared same on two different measures of cognitive function.
However, the study authors do not completely rule out the slight possibility that the supplementation doses if given at an earlier stage might help in preventing the disorder.
"It's not so solid a finding that it should change any treatment recommendations or advice to the public," Quinn said.
The study appears in the Nov. 3 issue of the 'Journal of the American Medical Association.'