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Omega-3 supplements can, in certain cases, help combat the depression and agitation symptoms linked to Alzheimers disease, as per a clinical study conducted at the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet.

Many epidemiological studies have shown that eating fatty fish provides a certain degree of protection against Alzheimers and other dementia diseasesan effect often thought attributable to the omega-3 fatty acids it contains. Some studies also suggest that omega-3 can have a therapeutic effect on some psychiatric conditions.

Scientists at Karolinska Institutet and Uppsala University have now examined whether omega-3 supplementation has any effect on the psychiatric symptoms linked to Alzheimers disease. Just under 200 patients with mild Alzheimers were divided into two groups, one of which received omega-3, and one a placebo. The study lasted for one year.

There was no observable difference in therapeutic effect between the patients receiving the omega-3 and the placebo group. However, when the scientists took into account which of the patients carried the susceptibility gene APOE ?4 and which did not, an appreciable difference appeared. Carriers of the gene who had received active therapy responded positively to the omega-3 as regards agitation symptoms, while non-bearers of the gene showed an improvement in depressive symptoms.

The team points out that no general therapeutic recommendations can be made from the results until larger studies on individuals with more pronounced neuropsychiatric symptoms are conducted.


Posted by: Daniel    Source