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Updated: Jun 10, 2025

Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
Published on: February 14, 2014
Association of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids intake and cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults
Rouba Khalil Naaman1, Shoug Alashmali1, Manar Abduljalil Bakhsh1,2
1Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Objective:
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play a crucial role in maintaining and improving cognitive function and brain health. The aim of this study was to assess the association between omega-3 PUFA intake and cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults in Saudi Arabia.
Methods:
Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The frequency and quantity of omega-3 PUFA intake were assessed using an omega-3 food frequency questionnaire.
Results:
A total of 175 participants were recruited for this study. Participants in the lowest omega-3 PUFA tertile group scored significantly lower in the visuospatial/executive and attention cognitive domains (p < 0.05). After adjusting for confounders, the higher intake of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) was significantly associated with higher scores in the visuospatial/executive domain (p = 0.02) and the higher intake of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was significantly associated with higher scores in the attention domain (p = 0.04). The participants who did not consume walnuts showed a significant lower MoCA score than those who did (p = 0.005). No significant differences were found with other omega-3 PUFA sources.
Conclusion:
Higher intake of omega-3 PUFAs was positively associated with visuospatial/executive and attention cognitive functions in middle-aged and older adults.
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