The Study
463. EFFECTS OF 24-MONTH SUPPLEMENTATION OF EPA AND DHA ON HIPPOCAMPAL SPONTANEOUS NEUROACTIVITY IN MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AND DEMENTIA: A RESTING-STATE FMRI STUDY
This study gave different omega-3 supplements to people with memory problems and measured their brain activity before and after two years. It found that the supplements didn’t change brain activity, but noticed a small link between brain activity and memory scores — but that doesn’t mean one caused the other.
Analysis score
Maximum 90 for a randomized controlled trial.
Where the score came from
Scientists gave older people with memory issues omega-3 pills or dummy pills for two years and scanned their brains to see if the pills changed how their hippocampus (memory center) naturally buzzed.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 548 / 100
Quality score
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups, minimizing bias. The gold standard for testing whether an intervention causes an effect.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1Higher brain buzz didn't mean better memory—it meant the brain was working harder as things got worse.
- 2The omega-3 pills didn't change brain buzz (ALFF).
- 3But when brain buzz went up, memory got worse.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
Year
2025
Authors
Chen-Chia Lan, C-C Liu, T-H Lan, Y-H Chou
Related Content
Claims (3)
When people with early memory problems have more random brain activity in the area that handles memory, their memory and thinking skills tend to get worse—not better. This might mean their brain is working extra hard to try to make up for damage, not that it’s getting stronger.
Taking omega-3 supplements doesn't seem to make any difference in the brain changes that happen with mild memory problems in older people.
Taking omega-3 fish oil supplements daily for two years doesn't seem to change the brain's natural low-level activity in people with memory problems or dementia, at least not in the way we measure it.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.