B-vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids to modulate brain ageing in European citizens through improved nutrition: the BOOMERANG project

A poor nutrition status can promote cognitive decline and dementia. Evidence links low status of certain B-vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids with a greater risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Although these dietary components are typically investigated separately, there are evidence for that these nutrients may have beneficial effects on brain health and cognition when they are given in combination. However, this combination has not been tested directly in humans. In the proposed BOOMERANG project, we will study the effects of jointly give B-vitamin supplements and a novel omega-3 fatty acid supplement. We will perform a double-blinded randomized controlled trial over 3 months in older adults and study the effect of this combination of nutrients on a robust biomarker in blood that can be used to tell us about brain health and cognition. To complement our novel RCT, we will use existing studies among our partners, both cross-sectional and observational studies and a previous conducted randomized controlled trial, to study the interaction of B-vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids on brain health and cognition. Finally, through experimental studies, we will study the effects of this nutritional combination on mechanisms related to neuronal ageing. Six partners and collaborators from University of Oslo, and Aker BioMarine, Norway, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, Maastricht University, The Netherlands, Heinrich Heine University of Düsseldorf, Germany, and Ulster University, Northern Ireland-UK, are involved in the project.

A poor nutrition status is a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia. In particular, evidence links low status of certain B-vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids with a greater risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Although these dietary components are typically investigated separately, post-hoc analyses of existing clinical trial data and experimental work indicate that B-vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids may exert synergistic beneficial effects on processes related to brain health and cognition. However, this combination has not been tested directly in humans. In the proposed BOOMERANG project, we will study the effects of jointly supplementing with B-vitamins and a highly bioavailable omega-3 fatty acid supplement, Lysoveta, on a robust biomarker of brain atrophy, the neurofilament light chain, in a double-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) over 3 months in older adults. To complement our novel RCT, support its relevance in practice and provide mechanistic insights, we will use dietary, biomarker, epigenetic and genetic data from multiple pre-existing RCTs (with B-vitamin interventions only) and cohorts (total n > 50,000), to study the interaction of B-vitamins and omega-3 fatty acid on cognitive function (cross-sectional), long-term cognitive decline (follow-up periods of 3 to 10+ years) and brain atrophy. Finally, through experimental in vivo and in vitro studies, we will study the effects of this nutritional combination on mechanisms related to neuronal ageing including cell death, mitochondrial metabolism, DNA methylation and histone deacetylation. Six partners and collaborators (University of Oslo, Aker BioMarine, Norway (WP1-WP4); Trinity College Dublin, Ireland (WP1-WP3); Maastricht University (WP2-WP3), The Netherlands; Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Germany (WP4); Ulster University, Northern Ireland-UK (WP1-3), are involved in the project.