Omega-3 supplementation and loneliness-related memory problems: Secondary analyses of a randomized controlled trial

TY - JOUR

T1 - Omega-3 supplementation and loneliness-related memory problems

T2 - Secondary analyses of a randomized controlled trial

AU - Jaremka, Lisa M.

AU - Derry, Heather M.

AU - Bornstein, Robert

AU - Prakash, Ruchika Shaurya

AU - Peng, Juan

AU - Belury, Martha A.

AU - Andridge, Rebecca R.

AU - Malarkey, William B.

AU - Kiecolt-Glaser, Janice K.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: Copyright © 2014 by the American Psychosomatic Society.

PY - 2014

Y1 - 2014

N2 - Objective: Loneliness enhances risk for episodic memory declines over time. Omega-3 supplementation can improve cognitive function for people experiencing mild cognitive difficulties. Accordingly, we explored whether omega-3 supplementation would attenuate loneliness-related episodic memory problems. Methods: Participants (n = 138) from a parent randomized controlled trial were randomized to the placebo, 1.25 grams/d of omega-3, or 2.50 grams/d of omega-3 conditions for a 4-month period. They completed a baseline loneliness questionnaire and a battery of cognitive tests both at baseline and at the end of the randomized controlled trial. Results: After adjustment for baseline verbal episodic memory scores, lonelier people within the placebo condition had poorer verbal episodic memory postsupplementation, as measured by immediate (b = -0.28, t (117) = j2.62, p = .010) and longdelay (b =-0.06, t (116) =j2.07, p = .040) free recall, than their less lonely counterparts. This effect was not observed in the 1.25- and 2.50-grams/d supplementation groups (all p values 9 .10). The plasma omega-6:omega-3 ratio data mirrored these results. There were no loneliness-related effects of omega-3 supplementation on short-delay recall or the other cognitive tests (all p values 9 .32). Conclusion: These results suggest that omega-3 supplementation attenuates loneliness-related verbal episodic memory declines over time and support the use of exploring novel interventions for treating episodic memory problems among lonely people. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00385723.

AB - Objective: Loneliness enhances risk for episodic memory declines over time. Omega-3 supplementation can improve cognitive function for people experiencing mild cognitive difficulties. Accordingly, we explored whether omega-3 supplementation would attenuate loneliness-related episodic memory problems. Methods: Participants (n = 138) from a parent randomized controlled trial were randomized to the placebo, 1.25 grams/d of omega-3, or 2.50 grams/d of omega-3 conditions for a 4-month period. They completed a baseline loneliness questionnaire and a battery of cognitive tests both at baseline and at the end of the randomized controlled trial. Results: After adjustment for baseline verbal episodic memory scores, lonelier people within the placebo condition had poorer verbal episodic memory postsupplementation, as measured by immediate (b = -0.28, t (117) = j2.62, p = .010) and longdelay (b =-0.06, t (116) =j2.07, p = .040) free recall, than their less lonely counterparts. This effect was not observed in the 1.25- and 2.50-grams/d supplementation groups (all p values 9 .10). The plasma omega-6:omega-3 ratio data mirrored these results. There were no loneliness-related effects of omega-3 supplementation on short-delay recall or the other cognitive tests (all p values 9 .32). Conclusion: These results suggest that omega-3 supplementation attenuates loneliness-related verbal episodic memory declines over time and support the use of exploring novel interventions for treating episodic memory problems among lonely people. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00385723.

KW - Cognition

KW - Intervention

KW - Loneliness

KW - Memory

KW - Omega-3

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/84925957544

U2 - 10.1097/PSY.0000000000000104

DO - 10.1097/PSY.0000000000000104

M3 - Article

C2 - 25264972

SN - 0033-3174

VL - 76

SP - 650

EP - 658

JO - Psychosomatic Medicine

JF - Psychosomatic Medicine

IS - 8

ER -