New study - Omega-3s no help with Alzheimer's

Omega-3 fish oils do not slow the cognitive decline of people with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers from Oregon Health and Science University studied 215 people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Over 18 months 171 of them took fish-oil tablets while the rest took a placebo. The researchers tested the participants' cognitive abilities and, in a smaller group of participants measured their brain volumes with an MRI scanner. The researchers found that taking the fish oil had no beneficial effects on the participants' cognition and no effect on total brain volume. The authors concluded that "in summary these results indicate that DHA (docosahexanoic acid, an Omega-3 found in fish oil) supplementation is not useful for the population of individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease."

Study questions fish oils for pregnant women

Women sometimes take fish-oil tablets when they are pregnant in the hope that the omega-3s in them could help to boost their baby's cognition and stop them developing postnatal depression; however, a new study by researchers from the University of Adelaide suggests that they could be wasting their time. The study involved 2,400 women in five Australian maternity hospitals between 2005 and 2009. Half of the women took fish-oil capsules and half took vegetable-oil ones. The study found that there was no difference between the two groups in either their babies' cognition at 18 months or the women's incidence of postnatal depression.

Omega 3s not a miracle solution for older people's cognition

Along with statins and aspirin omega-3s seem to be touted as the miracle cure for just about everything. However, a trial by researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has found no evidence that it can improve cognition in older people. The trial studied 867 people aged between 70 and 80. For two years half of the participants were given omega-3 and half a placebo and their cognition was tested at the beginning and end of the study. After two years there was no change in cognitive function in either group of participants.

You can find out more about this research at

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100421133116.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Latest+Science+News%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Omega-3s and psychosis

Early intervention has been found to lead to much better results for people with schizophrenia and psychosis. This often takes the form of antipsychotic drugs but they have serious side effects and their use is controversial in people who have yet to develop full-blown psychosis. A team of researchers led by Dr G. Paul Amminger from the University of Vienna studied the use of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in 81 people at 'ultra-high risk' of psychotic disorder. Half got the omega-3 and half got a placebo. By the end of the study only 4.9% of the people in the omega-3 group had developed psychosis compared to 27.5% in the placebo group. The omega-3s also significantly reduced symptoms and improved functioning with no more side effects than the placebo.

Amminger, G. Paul ... [et al] - Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids for indicated prevention of psychotic disorders: a randomized controlled trial Archives of General Psychiatry February 2010, 67(2), 146-154

Topping up with Omega-3 - does it work for depression?

Researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis have been investigating the effectiveness of taking Omega-3 as well as antidepressants in a study of people with depression and heart disease. 122 people took part in the study. Half of them took sertraline and Omega-3 while the other half took sertraline and a placebo. The study found that after 10 weeks there was no difference between the group taking the Omega-3 and the group taking the placebo.

You can find out more about this research at

http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=news&id=123017&cn=5#