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Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and cognitive decline in adults with non-dementia or mild cognitive impairment: an overview of systematic reviews

2025-09-19Review article Open access
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dc.contributor.authorBarros, Maria Inês
dc.contributor.authorBrandão, Teresa
dc.contributor.authorIrving, Susana Couto
dc.contributor.authorAlves, Paula
dc.contributor.authorGomes, Filomena
dc.contributor.authorCorreia, Marta
dc.date.accessioned2025-10-09T09:49:29Z
dc.date.available2025-10-09T09:49:29Z
dc.date.issued2025-09-19
dc.description.abstractBackground/Objectives: As global aging accelerates, prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) continues to rise, challenging healthcare systems and diminishing older adults’ quality of life. There is great interest in better understanding the neuroprotective/anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids but the results from many published studies in humans come to different conclusions. This review aims to clarify the efficacy of n-3 fatty acids as a preventive or therapeutic strategy for cognitive health and to inform future clinical recommendations within aging populations. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines and a registered PROSPERO protocol, we reviewed systematic reviews (SRs) from 2014 to 2024 assessing exclusive n-3 fatty acid supplementation and cognitive outcomes via MMSE. Data were extracted on intervention details and cognitive scores. Meta-analyses used fixed and random-effects models, with Hedges’ estimating overall impact. Quality was assessed using AMSTAR-2, and statistical analyses were performed (SPSS 28). Results: A total of nine SRs incorporating 14 RCTs were included, representing 26,881 participants aged 40 years or older. The pooled random-effects meta-analysis showed a statistically significant but modest improvement in MMSE scores (effect size: 0.16; 95% CI: 0.01–0.32). Heterogeneity was moderate (I2 = 42.8%), and no publication bias was detected. Further analyses revealed no significant associations between treatment duration or dosage and cognitive outcomes, suggesting a threshold effect rather than a dose–response relationship. Conclusions: These findings support n3-PUFA supplementation as a complementary approach to lifestyle-based strategies for cognitive health, including diet, physical activity, sleep optimization, and cognitive training. While benefits appear modest, consistent effects across studies warrant further high-quality research and well-designed studies to strengthen clinical recommendations.eng
dc.identifier.citationBarros, M. I., Brandão, T., Irving, S. C., & Alves, P. et al. (2025). Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and cognitive decline in adults with non-dementia or mild cognitive impairment: an overview of systematic reviews. Nutrients, 17(18), Article 3002. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17183002
dc.identifier.doi10.3390/nu17183002
dc.identifier.eid105017147548
dc.identifier.issn2072-6643
dc.identifier.other11a8d797-5c6f-49c2-99e6-bb748cf042d6
dc.identifier.pmcPMC12472900
dc.identifier.pmid41010527
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10400.14/55175
dc.identifier.wos001580717400001
dc.language.isoeng
dc.peerreviewedyes
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subjectAlzheimer’s disease
dc.subjectDementia
dc.subjectMild cognitive impairment/decline
dc.subjectOmega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation
dc.titleOmega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and cognitive decline in adults with non-dementia or mild cognitive impairment: an overview of systematic reviewseng
dc.typereview article
dspace.entity.typePublication
oaire.citation.issue18
oaire.citation.titleNutrients
oaire.citation.volume17
oaire.versionhttp://purl.org/coar/version/c_970fb48d4fbd8a85

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