A novel study is reported to have claimed that taking fish oil supplements does not pose any beneficial effect on patients suffering with Alzheimer's disease. Previous studies have claimed that consuming fish oil slows down the mental decline in Alzheimer's patients.

The research involved over 402 people randomly selected, with an average age of 76 years. The participants involved cases of mild to moderate Alzheimer's depending on two grams of fish oil, having docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA as its key ingredient or a placebo on regular basis.

Over 60 % of the participants consumed fish oil over 18 months, while the other 40% depended on a placebo.

Cognitive and functional abilities of the participants were tested periodically during the course of the study. The study found no variation in level of cognitive decline in those taking fish oil and those not taking it.

Besides, the MRIs showed virtually no differences between the groups in terms of the rate at which their brains were contracting.

"It turns out that this substance did not slow the rate of progression in people who already had a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease", Dr. Joseph Quinn from Oregon Health and Science University and co-authors posted.