---
title: Memory Improvement With Docosahexaenoic Acid Study (MIDAS)
nct_id: NCT00278135
overall_status: COMPLETED
phase: NA
sponsor: dsm-firmenich Switzerland AG
study_type: INTERVENTIONAL
primary_condition: Age-Related Cognitive Decline
countries: United States
canonical_url: "https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT00278135.md"
clinicaltrials_gov: "https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00278135"
ct_last_update_post_date: 2014-05-19
last_seen_at: "2026-05-12T06:47:41.085Z"
source: ClinicalTrials.gov (mirrored, no enrichment)
---
# Memory Improvement With Docosahexaenoic Acid Study (MIDAS)

**Official Title:** A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Effects of DHA on Cognitive Functions in the Elderly

**NCT ID:** [NCT00278135](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00278135)

## Key Facts

- **Status:** COMPLETED
- **Phase:** NA
- **Study Type:** INTERVENTIONAL
- **Target Enrollment:** 485
- **Lead Sponsor:** dsm-firmenich Switzerland AG
- **Conditions:** Age-Related Cognitive Decline, Age-Related Memory Disorders
- **Start Date:** 2005-12
- **Completion Date:** 2008-12
- **CT.gov Last Update:** 2014-05-19

## Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) in improving cognitive functions in subjects with age-related cognitive decline. DHA is a long chain omega-3 fatty acid (LC-PUFA) that plays an important role in neural and visual development and cardiovascular health.

## Eligibility

- **Minimum age:** 55 Years
- **Sex:** ALL
- **Healthy Volunteers:** No

```
Inclusion Criteria:

* Males or females, aged 55 or greater.
* Have a subjective memory complaint and have a Logical Memory subtest (of the Wechsler Memory Scale - III \[WMS-III\]) raw score one standard deviation or greater below the mean of a younger population.
* Have the ability to understand the requirements of the study; be willing to provide written informed consent; and agree to abide by the study restrictions and return for the required assessments.
* If taking non-prohibited medication, be on a stable drug regimen (in prior 3 months).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Have a screening Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) \< 26.
* Consume greater than 200 mg/day DHA as assessed on a DHA Food Frequency Questionnaire in the prior 2 months to screening.
* Use nutritional fish oil, flaxseed oil, omega-3 supplements, or huperzine in the prior 2 months to screening.
* Use acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or memantine in the prior 2 months to screening.
* Use major anti-psychotics or major anti-depressants.
* Use lipase inhibitors such as Xenical® (orlistat).
* History of major medical conditions including ischemic stroke, head trauma with loss of consciousness, epilepsy, psychosis, vascular dementia, depression (Geriatric Depression \[15-item\] \> 5), myocardial infarction (within 1 year), uncontrolled diabetes, or blindness.
* History of major surgery within the past 6 months.
* Current use or history of drug and/or alcohol abuse within 5 years.
* Administration of any investigational product within the past 30 days.
* Inability to swallow capsules.
```

## Arms

- **1** (ACTIVE_COMPARATOR)
- **2** (PLACEBO_COMPARATOR)

## Interventions

- **DHA (nutritional supplement) or placebo** (DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT) — oral 900mg/day

## Primary Outcomes

- **Determine the effects of DHA, a nutritional supplement (900 mg/d) on improving cognitive functions (i.e. working memory, memory retention, attention, and executive function) in healthy elderly subjects at 24 weeks** _(time frame: 24 weeks)_

## Secondary Outcomes

- **Effects of DHA on visual acuity, levels of plasma phospholipids, and evaluating the safety and tolerability of the DHA dose administered** _(time frame: 24 weeks)_
- **The study will include a screening period, baseline, and 24 week treatment period.**

## Locations (14)

- Pivotal Research Center, Mesa, Arizona, United States
- Pacific Research Network, San Diego, California, United States
- Pacific Research Network, Vista, California, United States
- Radiant Research Denver, Denver, Colorado, United States
- Bradenton Neurology, Bradenton, Florida, United States
- Brain Matters Research, Delray Beach, Florida, United States
- Meridien Research, St. Petersburg, Florida, United States
- Stedman Clinical Trials, Tampa, Florida, United States
- Radiant Research Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Clinical Trial Center, Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, United States
- Senior Adults Specialty Research, Austin, Texas, United States
- Radiant Research San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States
- Radiant Research Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- Neurological Research Center, Inc., Bennington, Vermont, United States

## Recent Field Changes (last 30 days)

- `status.overallStatus` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.primaryCompletionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.completionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.lastUpdatePostDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `design.phases` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `design.enrollmentCount` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.criteria` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.minAge` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.sex` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `outcomes.primary` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `outcomes.secondary` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `armsInterventions.arms` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `armsInterventions.interventions` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `sponsor.lead` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `results.hasResults` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `locations.pivotal research center|mesa|arizona|united states` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `locations.pacific research network|san diego|california|united states` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `locations.pacific research network|vista|california|united states` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `locations.radiant research denver|denver|colorado|united states` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `locations.bradenton neurology|bradenton|florida|united states` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `locations.brain matters research|delray beach|florida|united states` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `locations.meridien research|st. petersburg|florida|united states` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `locations.stedman clinical trials|tampa|florida|united states` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `locations.radiant research chicago|chicago|illinois|united states` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `locations.clinical trial center|jenkintown|pennsylvania|united states` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `locations.senior adults specialty research|austin|texas|united states` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `locations.radiant research san antonio|san antonio|texas|united states` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `locations.radiant research salt lake city|salt lake city|utah|united states` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `locations.neurological research center, inc.|bennington|vermont|united states` — added _(2026-05-12)_

---

*Canonical: https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT00278135.md*  
*Source data (authoritative): https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00278135*  
*This page is a raw mirror with no AI summary, no editorial enrichment, and no Parkinson's-specific filtering.*