Cognitive Function After Supplementation
With B Vitamins and Long-chain Omega-3
Fatty Acids: Ancillary Findings

This section is compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
Send all comments or additions to:     Frankp@chiro.org

FROM:   Am J Clin Nutr. 2011 (Jul); 94 (1): 278–286 ~ FULL TEXT

Andreeva VA, Kesse-Guyot E, Barberger-Gateau P, Fezeu L, Hercberg S, Galan P.

Nutritional Epidemiology Research Unit,
University of Paris XIII,
Bobigny, France.

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BACKGROUND:   Rapid aging of the population worldwide necessitates a heightened concern about preventing cognitive decline.

OBJECTIVE:   We investigated the effects of B vitamins and omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid supplementation on cognition in a high-risk population.

DESIGN:   This was an ancillary study of the SU.FOL.OM3 (SUpplementation with FOLate, vitamins B-6 and B-12 and/or OMega-3 fatty acids) secondary prevention trial conducted in France between 2003 and 2009. The present sample included 1748 men and women aged 45-80 y with a history of myocardial infarction, unstable angina, or ischemic stroke and who were recruited via a network of 417 physicians. With the use of block randomization with stratification by sex, age, prior cardiovascular disease, and city of residence, participants were assigned in a 2 × 2 factorial design to 1 of 4 groups:

1) 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (folate, 0.56 mg) and vitamins B-6 (3 mg) and B-12 (0.02 mg),
2) eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (600 mg) in a 2:1 ratio,
3) B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, or
4) placebo.

Cognitive function after 4 y of supplementation was assessed with the French version of the modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status.

RESULTS:   No significant main effects of group assignment on cognitive function were found; however, we found some evidence of disease history- and age-specific effects. In the subgroup with prior stroke, for example, participants assigned to receive B vitamins plus omega-3 fatty acids were significantly less likely to have a decreased score on the temporal orientation task than were those assigned to receive placebo (odds ratio: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.21, 0.86).

CONCLUSIONS:   If present, dietary effects on cognition are likely group-specific. These results could be useful in interventions aimed at preventing cognitive decline in high-risk individuals.

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You may also want to review:

Background and rationale of the SU.FOL.OM3 study:
A Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled secondary prevention trial to test the impact of supplementation with folate, vitamin B6 and B12 and/or omega-3 fatty acids on the prevention of recurrent ischemic events in subjects with atherosclerosis in the coronary or cerebral arteries
J Nutr Health Aging. 2003;   7 (6):   428–435

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