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The potential role of nutritional components in improving brain function among patients with Alzheimers disease: a meta-analysis of RCT studies
Albrahim T.. Neurosciences (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), 2020-01-01
Topic: Amyloid, tau and blood-test diagnosis
Objective To find out the potential role of nutritional components in improving brain function among patients with Alzheimer`s disease (AD). Methods The correlation between nutrition and cerebral function in cases of AD has been the focus of 19 prospective randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with a combined research sample of 2297 patients. These RCTs are subject to systematic review and meta-analysis in the current paper RESULTS: Findings showed that chain-free secondary saturated fatty acids (SFA) and trans fatty acids (TFA) occurred in higher concentrations in AD patients` brains than in controls. Furthermore, neuroinflammation was caused by remodelling of the lipid membrane and AD patients` cognitive function was impacted by alterations in tyrosine, tryptophan, purine, and tocopherol pathway metabolomics. Moreover, in cases of mild-to-moderate AD, reduction in functionality was induced by administration of alpha-tocopherol for more than 12 months. Consumption of Souvenaid helps in synaptic synthesis, which enhances functional connectivity. Furthermore, consumption of the B vitamins folate, cobalamin and pyridoxine at dosages of 0.8 mg, 0.5 mg and 20 mg per day, respectively, over a period of one year resulted in lower plasma tHcy levels and brain atrophy. Conclusion Chain-free SFA and TFA occur in greater amounts in the brains of individuals with AD than in those without AD.
Key findings
- These RCTs are subject to systematic review and meta-analysis in the current paper RESULTS: Findings showed that chain-free secondary saturated fatty acids (SFA) and trans fatty acids (TFA) occurred in higher concentrations in AD patients` brains than in controls.
Why it matters
Pooling 19 randomised trials with 2297 patients, this meta-analysis reports that certain saturated and trans fatty acids were found at higher levels in the brains of people with Alzheimer's than in controls. It also reports that a year of the B vitamins folate, cobalamin and pyridoxine lowered plasma tHcy levels and brain atrophy, and that Souvenaid helped synapse formation. Overall it points to diet-related factors worth further study rather than a proven nutritional treatment.
Study details
- Study designsystematic review
- Participants2,297
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 51/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a systematic review of all the studies on the question. Scored zero for effect reported because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Neurosciences (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)) |
| Journal's citation record | 0 / 4 | Neurosciences: journal h-index 39 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 12 / 12 | A systematic review of all the studies on the question |
| 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 | 2 / 5 | 2020 — within 10 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 3 / 4 | 2,297 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 | 2 / 7 | Cited 11 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 1 / 5 | 1.4 citations a year over 8 year(s) since 2020 |
| Impact for its field and year | 1 / 6 | Cited 0.6× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 1 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author Tarfa Ibrahim Albrahim: h-index 11 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University: institution h-index 164 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 31982903) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 51 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.17712/nsj.2020.1.20190037
- PubMed: 31982903
- Original source →
- Free full text: Neurosciences →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
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
Albrahim, T. (2020). The potential role of nutritional components in improving brain function among patients with Alzheimers disease: a meta-analysis of RCT studies. Neurosciences (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia). https://doi.org/10.17712/nsj.2020.1.20190037
Vancouver
Albrahim T. The potential role of nutritional components in improving brain function among patients with Alzheimers disease: a meta-analysis of RCT studies. Neurosciences (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia). 2020. doi:10.17712/nsj.2020.1.20190037. PMID: 31982903.
BibTeX
@article{albrahim2020-31982903,
author = {Albrahim, T.},
title = {{The potential role of nutritional components in improving brain function among patients with Alzheimers disease: a meta-analysis of RCT studies}},
journal = {Neurosciences (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)},
year = {2020},
doi = {10.17712/nsj.2020.1.20190037},
pmid = {31982903},
url = {https://doi.org/10.17712/nsj.2020.1.20190037}
}
Studies this one cites
Referenced by this study and also in the alzhub library, so you can read them here.