In the Nov. 3, 2010 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), researchers reported that the rate of cognitive and functional decline in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease was not slowed by supplementing with DHA, the most abundant long-chain omega 3 fatty acid in the brain.

The Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED), Salt Lake City, UT, has published a Rapid Review analyzing the JAMA study in its Advances in EPA and DHA Research journal. The complete review can be found here.

“While this trial examined DHA’s impact on patients who already had Alzheimer’s disease, it’s important to keep in mind that most experts emphasize omega 3’s benefits likely lie in the prevention or delayed onset of many health conditions, including dementia and Alzheimer’s,” said Harry Rice, PhD, vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs, GOED. “Two prior studies, MIDAS and OmegAD, were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials that showed a benefit to individuals with age-related cognitive decline or very mild Alzheimer’s disease, respectively.

“This study leaves open the possibility that DHA supplementation prior to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease could provide a neuroprotective benefit, such as delayed onset of symptoms and delayed progression of disease,” Dr. Rice continued.

Additionally, the current study did not address other questions about the role omega 3s may play in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s. For instance, the trial did not examine supplementation with EPA, another important omega 3 fatty acid, although research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2008 suggested that a high plasma EPA concentration may decrease the risk of dementia.

Dr. Rice noted that the impact of EPA and DHA on dementia, cardiovascular health and other issues will be examined at the organization’s annual conference, the GOED Exchange, in January 2011. More information on the conference and registration details can be found at www.goedexchange.com.