Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42137868›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in nutrition2026

Effects of dietary supplements on cognitive outcomes and physiological biomarkers in mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Xiaolong Wang, Shan Jiang, Tianle Zou, Shuhui Shang, Enming Zhang, Lan Rong, Qiong Fang

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in nutrition, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Xiaolong Wang *Department of Geriatrics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Shan Jiang *School of Nursing, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
Tianle ZouSchool of Nursing, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
Shuhui ShangSchool of Nursing, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
Enming ZhangSchool of Nursing, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
Lan RongDepartment of Geriatrics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Qiong FangDepartment of Geriatrics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents a transitional stage between normal aging and dementia, affecting a significant proportion of the elderly population. Non-pharmacological nutritional supplements, such as vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and herbal extracts, have been proposed as potential interventions to mitigate cognitive decline and improve physiological biomarkers. However, evidence on their efficacy remains inconsistent. Objective: This systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of various non-pharmacological nutritional supplements on cognitive function and key physiological indicators (e.g., BDNF, Aβ42, Aβ40) in elderly individuals with MCI. Methods: This systematic review followed PRISMA-NMA guideline and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251079079). We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and CNKI databases from inception to June 2025 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing dietary supplements to placebo or no intervention. Data extraction included cognitive scores (e.g., MMSE, MoCA, FSIQ) and physiological markers. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Pairwise meta-analyses and NMA were conducted using random-effects models, with standardized mean differences (SMD) for continuous outcomes. Heterogeneity was assessed via Results: Thirteen trials involving 2,451 participants were included. PUFA supplements showed the greatest cognitive benefit ( Conclusion: Dietary supplements may offer potential cognitive benefits in MCI, but evidence is limited by study quality and heterogeneity. High-quality RCTs are needed to confirm these findings. Systematic review registration: Identifier CRD420251079079.

Indexed as

cognitive functiondietary supplementselderlymild cognitive impairmentnetwork meta-analysissystematic review

Identifiers

PMID42137868
PMCPMC13167511

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.