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Find more clinical trials

Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid for Vascular Cognitive Aging

Start: May 2014
End: June 2021
Enrollment: 150

What Is This Study About?

This study will determine whether taking an omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (fish oil) can promote brain health in cognitively normal older adults at risk for dementia.

Do I Qualify To Participate in This Study?

Minimum Age: 80 Years

Maximum Age: N/A

Must have:

  • Cognitively normal (Clinical Dementia Rating [CDR] = 0 or 0.5)
  • Total white matter hyperintensity volume of 6 cc or less
  • Plasma polyunsaturated fatty acid level of less than 110 ug/ml or less than 5 weight percent
  • Sufficient English language skills to complete all tests
  • Geriatric Depression Scale score showing absence of significant depression
  • Sufficient vision and hearing to complete all tests
  • Study partner with frequent (at least 1 hour/day or 1 day/week) contact with subject to verify functional status and CDR rating

Must NOT have:

  • Any dementing illness such as Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, normal pressure hydrocephalus, or Parkinson's disease (CDR ≥ 1)
  • Significant central nervous system disease such as brain tumor, seizure disorder, subdural hematoma, or cranial arteritis
  • Alcohol or substance abuse within the last 2 years
  • Major depression, schizophrenia, or other major psychiatric disorder
  • Abnormal laboratory results indicating vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid disease, or urinary tract infection
  • Unstable or significantly symptomatic cardiovascular disease
  • Hypertension, as indicated by either blood pressure of 150/90 or more or medications to control blood pressure
  • Symptomatic orthostatic hypotension
  • Diabetes mellitus requiring insulin injections
  • History of cortical stroke
  • Cancer within the last 5 years, with the exception of localized prostate cancer nonmetastatic skin cancers
  • Illness that requires more than one visit /month to a clinician
  • Progressive vision loss (age-related macular degeneration already beginning to degrade vision)
  • Contraindications to MRI, including heart pacemaker, metal plates or objects in head, metal worker
  • Prohibited medications: frequent high doses of analgesics; sedatives, except occasionally for sleep (use limited to twice per week); central nervous system medications not at stable doses for at least 2 months (cimetidine, beta-blockers, and SSRIs); more than two antihypertensives or propranolol or clonidine; neuroleptics, antiparkinsonian agents, systemic corticosteroids, or narcotic analgesics; omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements; cholinesterase inhibitors; anticoagulation therapy such as vitamin K agonist, warfarin, Factor X inhibitors, or low molecular weight heparins

If I Qualify, Who Do I Contact?

Contact study personnel listed either under the general study contact or the location nearest you.

Need Help?

Contact NIA’s Alzheimer’s and related Dementias Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center at 800-438-4380 or email ADEAR.

Where Is This Study Located?

Who Sponsors This Study?

Lead: Oregon Health and Science University

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01953705

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An official website of the U.S. government, managed by the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health