New Study Tests Multidomain Intervention for Cognitive Decline Prevention
An intervention combining omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation and physical activity, cognitive training, and nutritional advice had no significant effect on cognitive decline, according to a recent study.
The researchers conducted a 3-year, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled superiority trial consisting of 1680 participants aged 70 years or older without dementia. All participants had either complained of memory issues to their physician, had limitations with daily activities, or slow gait speed. The participants were assigned to 1 of 4 groups: Multidomain intervention (group sessions on cognitive training, physical activity, and nutrition advice, with 3 preventive consultations) plus omega 3 PUFA, multidomain intervention plus placebo, omega 3 PUFA alone, or placebo alone.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RELATED CONTENT
Cognitive Impairment Concerns: ‘Worried Well’ or Early Alzheimer Disease?
New Study Detects Relationship Between Head Trauma and Alzheimer’s Disease
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The primary outcome of the study was a change from baseline to 36 months in a score combining 4 cognitive tests: free and total recall of the Free and Cued Selective Reminding test, 10 Mini-Mental State Examination orientation items, Digit Symbol Substitution Test, and Category Naming Test.
Among the 1525 participants in the intention-to-treat population, no significant differences in 3-year cognitive decline were observed between the 4 groups. Overall, 146 (36%) of participants from the multidomain plus PUFA group, 142 (34%) from the multidomain plus placebo group, 134 (33%) from the PUFA group, and 133 (32%) from the placebo group had at least 1 serious adverse event.
“The multidomain intervention and polyunsaturated fatty acids, either alone or in combination, had no significant effects on cognitive decline over 3 years in elderly people with memory complaints. An effective multidomain intervention strategy to prevent or delay cognitive impairment and the target population remain to be determined, particularly in real-world settings,” the researchers concluded.
—Michael Potts
Reference:
Andrieu S, Guyonnet S, Coley N, et al. Effect of long-term omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation with or without multidomain intervention on cognitive function in elderly adults with memory complaints (MAPT): a randomised, placebo-controlled trial [published online March 27, 2017]. Lancet Neurology. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(17)30040-6.