Association Between Omega-3 Supplement Use and Cognitive Function in Korean Older Adults: An 8-Year Longitudinal...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Cognitive Neuroscience
• Nutritional Psychiatry
• Public Health and Aging

Background:

• South Korea exhibits high baseline omega-3 fatty acid (O3FA) intake due to dietary habits.
• Limited research exists on the additional cognitive benefits of O3FA supplementation in this population.
• Understanding O3FA's role is crucial for maintaining cognitive function in aging adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the longitudinal impact of O3FA supplement use on cognitive performance in older South Koreans.
• To examine the relationship between the duration of O3FA supplementation and cognitive outcomes over an 8-year period.

Main Methods:

• Prospective longitudinal cohort study design utilizing data from the Korean Longitudinal Study on Cognitive Aging and Dementia (KLOSCAD).
• Inclusion of 4,949 adults aged ≥60 years, with 2,053 completing the 8-year follow-up.
• Assessment of O3FA supplement use via questionnaires and cognitive function using the CERAD-K Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (CERAD-K[N]), analyzed with repeated measures ANCOVA and linear mixed-effects models (LMMs).

Main Results:

• O3FA users demonstrated significant improvements in overall cognitive scores (CERAD-K[N]) and memory domain scores over the 8-year study period.
• Weighted LMM analysis revealed significant interactions between time and supplement duration, indicating that longer-term O3FA use was associated with greater cognitive improvements.
• These findings highlight a dose-response or duration-dependent effect of O3FA supplementation on cognitive maintenance.

Conclusions:

• Omega-3 fatty acid (O3FA) supplement use is associated with better cognitive function maintenance in community-dwelling older adults.
• The findings suggest that O3FA supplementation may play a beneficial role in supporting cognitive health throughout the aging process.
• Further research into optimal O3FA intake strategies for cognitive aging is warranted.