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A randomized placebo-controlled pilot trial of omega-3 fatty acids and alpha lipoic acid in Alzheimer’s disease

Authors

Shinto, Lynne, Quinn, Joseph, Montine, Thomas, Dodge, Hiroko H., Woodward, William, Baldauf-Wagner, Sara, Waichunas, Dana, Bumgarner, Lauren, Bourdette, Dennis, Silbert, Lisa, Kaye, Jeffrey

Journal

Journal Of Alzheimer's Disease: JAD, Volume: 38, No.: 1, Pages.: 111-120

Year of Publication

2014

Abstract

Oxidative stress, inflammation, and increased cholesterol levels are all mechanisms that have been associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. Several epidemiologic studies have reported a decreased risk of AD with fish consumption. This pilot study was designed to evaluate the effects of supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids alone (ω-3) or omega-3 plus alpha lipoic acid (ω-3 + LA) compared to placebo on oxidative stress biomarkers in AD. The primary outcome measure was peripheral F2-isoprostane levels (oxidative stress measure). Secondary outcome measures included performance on: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Activities of Daily Living/Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (ADL/IADL), and Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog). Thirty-nine AD subjects were randomized to one of three groups: 1) placebo, 2) ω-3, or 3) ω-3 + LA for a treatment duration of 12 months. Eighty seven percent (34/39) of the subjects completed the 12-month intervention. There was no difference between groups at 12 months in peripheral F2-isoprostane levels (p = 0.83). The ω-3 + LA and ω-3 were not significantly different than the placebo group in ADAS-cog (p = 0.98, p = 0.86) and in ADL (p = 0.15, p = 0.82). Compared to placebo, the ω-3 + LA showed less decline in MMSE (p < 0.01) and IADL (p = 0.01) and the ω-3 group showed less decline in IADL (p < 0.01). The combination of ω-3 + LA slowed cognitive and functional decline in AD over 12 months. Because the results were generated from a small sample size, further evaluation of the combination of omega-3 fatty acids plus alpha-lipoic acid as a potential treatment in AD is warranted.;

Keywords

acid, acids, activities of daily living, aged, aged, 80 and over, alone, alpha, alphalipoic acid, alzheimer disease, alzheimer’s disease, analysis of variance, clinical trial, cognition disorders, complications, diet therapy, double-blind method, etiology, f2isoprostane, fatty, female, humans, la, levels, lipoic, male, measure, mental status schedule, metabolism, middle aged, omega3, omega3 fatty acids, or, outcome assessment (health care), oxidative, peripheral, pilot projects, plus, psychology, stress, therapeutic use, thioctic acid

Countries of Study

USA

Types of Dementia

Alzheimer’s Disease

Types of Study

Randomised Controlled Trial

Type of Outcomes

ADLs/IADLs, Cognition, Other

Type of Interventions

Pharmaceutical Interventions

Pharmaceutical Interventions

Herbal remedies, vitamins, dietary supplements