@article {Zhang382, author = {Yan-Ping Zhang and Yinyin Lou and Jing Hu and Rujuan Miao and Fei Ma}, title = {DHA supplementation improves cognitive function via enhancing Aβ-mediated autophagy in Chinese elderly with mild cognitive impairment: a randomised placebo-controlled trial}, volume = {89}, number = {4}, pages = {382--388}, year = {2018}, doi = {10.1136/jnnp-2017-316176}, publisher = {BMJ Publishing Group Ltd}, abstract = {Background Higher docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake is inversely correlated with relative risk of Alzheimer{\textquoteright}s disease. The potential benefits of DHA supplementation in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have not been fully examined.Objective Our study aimed to assess the effect of a 24-month DHA supplementation on cognitive function and amyloid beta (Aβ)-mediated autophagy in elderly subjects with MCI.Methods This was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in Tianjin, China. A total of 240 individuals with MCI were identified and randomly divided into intervention (DHA 2 g/day, n=120) and control (corn oil as placebo, n=120) groups. Cognitive function and blood Aβ-related biomarkers were measured at baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Data were analysed using generalised estimating equation.Results A total of 217 participants (DHA: 109, placebo: 108) completed the trial. During the follow-up, scores of full-scale IQ, verbal IQ and subdomains of information and digit span were significantly higher in the intervention group than the convention group (p\<0.05). In the intervention group, blood Aβ-42 level and expression of Aβ protein precursor mRNA were decreased (p\<0.05), while Beclin-1 and LC3-II levels and expression of LC3-II mRNA were increased (p\<0.05).Conclusion Daily oral DHA supplementation (2 g/day) for 24 months may improve cognitive function and change blood biomarker-related Aβ-mediated autophagy in people with MCI. Larger longer-term confirmatory studies are warranted.Trial registration number ChiCTR-IOR-15006058.}, issn = {0022-3050}, URL = {https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/89/4/382}, eprint = {https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/89/4/382.full.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery \& Psychiatry} }