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Effects of ω-3 fatty acids on cognitive performance: a meta-analysis
Mazereeuw G, Lanctôt KL, Chau SA, Swardfager W, Herrmann N.. Neurobiology of aging, 2012-02-03
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Background Higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FAs) is associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and milder forms of cognitive impairment (e.g. cognitive impairment no dementia [CIND]); however, findings from interventional trials are inconsistent. This meta-analysis examined the neuropsychological benefit of n-3 FAs in randomized double-blind placebo-controlled studies (RCTs) including healthy, CIND, or AD subjects. Methods Literature was searched using Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, Cochrane Library, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) up to September 2011.
Key findings
- This meta-analysis examined the neuropsychological benefit of n-3 FAs in randomized double-blind placebo-controlled studies (RCTs) including healthy, CIND, or AD subjects.
- Methods Literature was searched using Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, Cochrane Library, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) up to September 2011.
- Treatment effects were summarized across cognitive subdomains, and effect sizes were estimated using Hedge's g and random effects modeling.
- Results Ten RCTs were combined quantitatively.
Why it matters
This meta-analysis pooled randomized placebo-controlled trials to examine whether omega-3 fatty acids improve cognitive performance in healthy, cognitively impaired, or Alzheimer's disease subjects. It tests a possible intervention for cognition, not a proven treatment, cure or prevention for Alzheimer's disease.
Study details
- Study designmeta-analysis
- Participants934
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 65/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a meta-analysis pooling many studies. Scored zero for effect reported because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Neurobiology of aging) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | Neurobiology of Aging: journal h-index 263 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 12 / 12 | A meta-analysis pooling many studies |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2012 — within 20 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 2 / 4 | 934 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | A review of other studies — randomisation is not credited here |
| Times cited | 5 / 7 | Cited 253 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 15.8 citations a year over 16 year(s) since 2012 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 2.7× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 2 / 6 | Cited by 6 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 28 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Nathan Herrmann: h-index 85 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 2 / 3 | University of Toronto: institution h-index 1,923 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 22305186) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 65 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
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Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Mazereeuw, G., Lanctôt, K. L., Chau, S. A., Swardfager, W., & Herrmann, N. (2012). Effects of ω-3 fatty acids on cognitive performance: a meta-analysis. Neurobiology of aging. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2011.12.014
Vancouver
Mazereeuw G, Lanctôt KL, Chau SA, Swardfager W, Herrmann N. Effects of ω-3 fatty acids on cognitive performance: a meta-analysis. Neurobiology of aging. 2012. doi:10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2011.12.014. PMID: 22305186.
BibTeX
@article{mazereeuw2012-22305186,
author = {Mazereeuw, G. and Lanctôt, K. L. and Chau, S. A. and Swardfager, W. and Herrmann, N.},
title = {{Effects of ω-3 fatty acids on cognitive performance: a meta-analysis}},
journal = {Neurobiology of aging},
year = {2012},
doi = {10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2011.12.014},
pmid = {22305186},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2011.12.014}
}
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