Evidence map›Paper›PMID 19262590›Full record

SynthesisNature clinical practice. Neurology2009

Fish consumption, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and risk of cognitive decline or Alzheimer disease: a complex association.

Majid Fotuhi, Payam Mohassel, Kristine Yaffe

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Nature clinical practice. Neurology, 2009. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 126 papers, 7 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
126citing papers in PubMed, 7 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

126 citing papers in PubMed, 7 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

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  6. Dementia.BMJ clinical evidence · 2012
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66 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Majid FotuhiCenter for Memory and Brain Health, LifeBridge Health Brain & Spine Institute, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21209, USA. mfotuhi@lifebridgehealth.org
Payam Mohassel
Kristine Yaffe

Funding

Predictors & Outcomes of Cognitive Trajectories in the Oldest OldK24AG031155 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · PI YAFFE, KRISTINE · 2007 to 2020
$1.5M
NIA NIH HHS AG 031155
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids could have neuroprotective properties against dementia, which is becoming a major global public health issue. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to establish the association between eating fish (a source of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids) or taking long-chain omega-3 fatty acid supplements and the risk of cognitive decline or Alzheimer disease (AD). We identified eleven observational studies and four clinical trials. All three observational studies that used cognitive decline as an outcome reported significant benefits, whereas only four of eight observational studies that used incidence of AD or dementia as an outcome reported positive findings. None of four small clinical trials provided convincing evidence for the use of this approach in the prevention or treatment of any form of dementia. In summary, the existing data favor a role for long-chain omega-3 fatty acids in slowing cognitive decline in elderly individuals without dementia, but not for the prevention or treatment of dementia (including AD). This apparent dichotomy might reflect differences in study designs with regard to participants, dosages, the ratio of long-chain omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids, or the choice of outcome measurements. Large clinical trials of extended duration should help to provide definitive answers.

Indexed as

DietDietary SupplementsFishesAlzheimer DiseaseAnimalsClinical Trials as TopicCognitionCognition DisordersDementiaFatty Acids, Omega-3HumansNeuroprotective AgentsRisk FactorsFatty Acids, Omega-3Neuroprotective Agents

Identifiers

PMID19262590

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.