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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(s) -
Arsenault Lisa Nicole,
Scott Tammy M,
Tucker Katherine L
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.299.3
Subject(s) - eicosapentaenoic acid , stroop effect , docosahexaenoic acid , population , gerontology , medicine , omega 3 fatty acid , neurocognitive , depression (economics) , cognition , demography , psychology , polyunsaturated fatty acid , environmental health , fatty acid , psychiatry , biology , biochemistry , macroeconomics , sociology , economics
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 (β=0.35, p=0.007), word list immediate (β = 1.21, p=0.007) and long‐term recall (β=0.34, p=0.03), letter fluency (β=1.71, p=0.0001), and Stroop Task (β=0.94, p=0.038). CES‐D score was also significantly associated with DHA/EPA intake (β=−1.58, p=0.01). Research supported by NIA AG023395 and USDA ARS 58‐1950‐7‐707.