• Lai Kuan Lee, Suzana Shahar, Ai-Vyrn Chin, and Noor Aini Mohd Yusoff.
• Nutrition Science Program, School of Health Care Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• Psychopharmacology (Berl.). 2013 Feb 1; 225 (3): 605-12.

RationaleEpidemiological studies have suggested a beneficial effect of fish oil supplementation in halting the initial progression of Alzheimer's disease. However, it remains unclear whether fish oil affects cognitive function in older people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).ObjectivesThis study investigated the effects of fish oil supplementation on cognitive function in elderly person with MCI.MethodsThis was a 12-month, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study using fish oil supplementation with concentrated docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Thirty six low-socioeconomic-status elderly subjects with MCI were randomly assigned to receive either concentrated DHA fish oil (n = 18) or placebo (n = 18) capsules. The changes of memory, psychomotor speed, executive function and attention, and visual-constructive skills were assessed using cognitive tests. Secondary outcomes were safety and tolerability of the DHA concentrate.ResultsThe fish oil group showed significant improvement in short-term and working memory (F = 9.890; ηp (2) = 0.254; p < 0.0001), immediate verbal memory (F = 3.715; ηp (2) = 0.114; p < 0.05) and delayed recall capability (F = 3.986; ηp (2) = 0.121; p < 0.05). The 12-month change in memory (p < 0.01) was significantly better in the fish oil group. Fish oil consumption was well tolerated, and the side effects were minimal and self-limiting.ConclusionsThis study suggested the potential role of fish oil to improve memory function in MCI subjects. Studies with larger sample sizes, longer intervention periods, different fish oil dosages and genetic determinations should be investigated before definite recommendations can be made.

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