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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #224870
Title: Long-Chain Omega-3 fatty acids associated with better cognitive function and less depressive symptoms in a population of Puerto Rican adults in Boston, MA

Author
item ARSENAULT, LISA - JM USDA HNRCA @ TUFTS
item SCOTT, TAMMY - TUFTS MEDICAL CTR, MA
item Tucker, Katherine

Submitted to: FASEB Letters
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/29/2008
Publication Date: 4/1/2008
Citation: Arsenault, L.N., Scott, T.M., Tucker, K. 2008. Long-Chain Omega-3 fatty acids associated with better cognitive function and less depressive symptoms in a population of Puerto Rican adults in Boston, MA. FASEB Letters. 22:299.3.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) found in fatty fish are increasingly recommended for promoting brain health with aging. Studies have reported protective associations between dietary DHA/EPA or fatty fish and incident dementia, but few have reported specific measures of cognitive functioning or focused on non-white populations. Utilizing baseline data from the ongoing Boston Puerto Rican Heath Study, we examined the associations between dietary DHA/EPA and cognitive performance and depressive symptoms in Puerto Rican adults aged 45+. Diet was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire designed for the population. Cognitive function was assessed with a neuropsychological battery of tests and depression by the Center for Epidemiologic Depression Scale (CES-D). Adjusting for age, sex, education, total energy, saturated fat, BMI, multivitamin use, drinking, acculturation, and household income; dietary DHA/EPA (log transformed) was significantly associated with global cognition, learning, and executive functioning. MMSE score (beta=0.35, P=0.007), word list immediate (beta = 1.21, P=0.007) and long-term recall (beta=0.34, P=0.03), letter fluency (beta=1.71, P=0.0001), and Stroop Task (beta=0.94, P=0.038). CES-D score was also significantly associated with DHA/EPA intake (beta=-1.58, P=0.01).