08.27.09
Indication: Age-related cognitive decline (ARCD)
Source: Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's disease (ICAD 2009), July 11, Vienna, Austria
Research: Researchers at Martek Biosciences Corporation set out to examinethe effects of algal DHA as a possible neuroprotective nutritional supplement for ARCD in its Memory Improvement with DHA Study (MIDAS). Investigators conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center, 6-month study to determine the effects of 900 mg per day of algal DHA on improving cognitive functions in 485 healthy older people (average age=70) with mild memory complaint. The primary outcome measure was a change from baseline in CANTAB Paired Associate Learning (PAL), a visuospatial episodic memory test.
Results: After six months, the researchers found that the study participants taking DHA supplements made significantly fewer errors on the PAL test compared to when they started the study. Plasma phospholipid DHA levels doubled over the course of the study in those taking the supplements, and correlated with the PAL response. The lead researcher said the benefit to subjects was roughly equivalent to having the learning and memory skills of someone three years younger.