High Dose Omega 3 in People at Risk for Dementia
High Dose Omega 3 in People at Risk for Dementia
The aim of this study is the efficacy of a docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich dietary supplement
 in improving key dementia-related mechanisms and cognitive function in older people at risk
 for dementia. This is a randomized placebo-controlled, 24 weeks, phase 2 study of Omega 3 in
 people with increased risk of dementia. The aim is to explore the effects of DHA on cognitive
 performance (CERAD 10 word memory tests, TMT A/B, Stroop Color-Word, FAS, VOSP silhouettes,
 Cantab-test (RT, PAL, SWT)), biological markers (blood: CRP, NLF, TNF-alpha, MCI-1, PBMC
 Abeta middomain, Omega-3-index, IL, CSF: NLF, sTREM2, Ab 1-42, total and -phospho-tau) and
 imaging (MRI: standard structural DDI protocol including Freesurfer and WML measurements, DTI
 and ASL).
Earlier trials with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been
 moderately promising, but these interventions often suffered from relatively low DHA
 concentrations. In this trial, the investigators will use a DHA-rich dietary supplement
 formulated using a self-microemulsifying delivery system to accelerate absorption.

 Modification of innate immune activity has already been seen using DHA-rich supplements, and
 this type of intervention has been shown to ameliorate AD-associated PBMC profiles, and to be
 associated with improvements in cognition. DHA can cross the BBB, and the resulting CSF
 concentrations are associated with reduced CSF total tau levels indicating that DHA reduce
 neurodegeneration, ameliorate Abeta42 induced neuronal damage, and increase microglia Abeta
 phagocytosis. However, pre-clinical and pre-dementia intervention trials linked to biomarkers
 for the AD disease process is lacking, and therefore, stratification with respect to stage of
 disease process has not been performed.

 Study cohort: subjects in this pilot study will be recruited from the Norwegian Dementia
 Disease Initiative (DDI) cohort. The DDI cohort consists of 600 participants with Subjective
 Cognitive Dedcline (SCD), Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and normal control subjects that
 have been included at dementia centres across Norway during 2012-2016. Blood samples and
 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have been collected and are stored centrally at Ahus. A
 comprehensive and highly standarized clinical assessment program has been administered by
 trained raters (assessors). The investigators are currently performing 2-year follow-up
 evaluations. Genetic data including APOE-isoforms have been collected as have baseline and
 follow-up MRIs, PET scans (so far in Oslo and Bergen) and baseline CSF examinations (Ab,
 total-tau and phosphorus-tau). Cognitive assessments at baseline and follow-up include MMSE
 and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), CERAD 10 word memory test, Clock drawing test, Trail
 Making Test A and B, Verbal fluency test (FAS), visual recognition test (VOSP silhouettes),
 Stropp Coloraturas-Word. Data is assembled in a customised database (UiO secure server
 (TSD)), developed based on XNAT (http://www.xnat.org) and also connected to pipelines for
 image analysis. A selection from CANTAB MCI test battery including RTI (reaction time), PAL
 (paired associates learning test), and SWM (spatial working memory).

 Study design: All subjects included in the intervention study will have completed 2-year
 follow-up in the DDI study prior to inclusion and will be on stable medication at least 3
 months prior to baseline examinations. Based on the existing electronic CRF for DDI, social
 e-RCT-CRFs will be developed and programmed into the proprietary XNAT database. Patients
 fulfilling the inclusion criteria will be identified by a nurse at the memory outpatient
 clinics and will be given a short information letter regarding the study. Written consent
 will be asked for. Thereafter, a medical and neurological examination of the patient will be
 performed, including a medical history and medication use.

 This initial pilot study is a minor feasibility study with 40 subjects randomised equally to
 either of 2 treatment groups for 24 weeks,

 Omega-3 3 capsules/day Placebo 3 capsules/day

 Each study participant will take 3 capsules in the morning for the 24-week study period. The
 study may be followed by a larger and statistical valid study. Patients will be randomized
 (by means of a computerized program) to identically appearing set of capsules with Omega-3 or
 placebo, 1:1 (produced by BASF AS).

 Optional extension study: Participants will be offered another 24-week Omega-3 capsule supply
 after study end, and a follow-up assessment after 1 year will be conducted, comparing those
 with and without continuous Omega-3 treatment.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Age > 50 years

 -  SCD or MCI

 -  No evidence of neurodegeneration (i.e. CSF phospho and total tau-levels below cut-off)

 -  Scandinavian mother tongue

 -  Completed 2-year follow-up in the DDI-study

 -  Stable medication for at least 3 months prior to baseline exam

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Dementia (defined as MMSE < 26 and/or CDR >/= 1))

 -  Other dementia giving disease than AD

 -  Other brain disease

 -  Significant depression

 -  Unstable coronary heart disease or heart failure in need of treatment

 -  Systemic inflammatory diseases

 -  Somatic disease that might affect cognitive function adversely

 -  Usage of anticoagulants

 -  Prior radiation- or chemo-therapy possibly affecting CNS

 -  Relevant cancer or other serious disease with expected survival < 5 years

 -  Fish meal intake more than 2 times a week

 -  Regularly intake of Omega-3 supplements over the last 3 months