Optimizing cognitive and behavioural recovery after stroke: clinical integration of dietary supplements with a focus on ω-3 fatty acids.

Authors

Anand Krishnan, Prasanjit Saha, Manu Aravind, Sen Chandra Sreetama, Usha Rajamma, Rajesh Anantha Shenoi, Arnab Datta, Goutam Chandra

Published in

Neurochemistry international. Pages 106287. Nov 07, 2026. Epub Nov 07, 2026.

Abstract

Stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide, with many survivors experiencing persistent cognitive and behavioural impairments despite advancements in acute management. Post-stroke neurorecovery is often incomplete, contributing to dementia, depression, and reduced quality of life, particularly in low- and middle-income settings where access to advanced rehabilitation and therapeutics is limited. This highlights an urgent need for accessible, adjunctive strategies that can enhance functional recovery. Emerging preclinical evidence indicates that dietary supplements can modulate key biological processes underlying neurorecovery, including neuroplasticity, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and synaptic remodeling. In this narrative review, we examine the role of major classes of nutraceuticals such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, and amino acids in supporting cognitive and behavioural recovery after stroke with particular emphasis on omega-3 fatty acids, given their central role in neuronal membrane integrity, lipid-mediated signaling, and resolution of inflammation. We integrate mechanistic insights with preclinical and clinical data explicitly highlighting that theoretical models and basic research demonstrate significant promise, while current clinical evidence remains heterogeneous and frequently inconclusive. We discuss how dietary supplementation might be strategically incorporated alongside conventional rehabilitation paradigms including physiotherapycognitive training, and pharmacotherapy. We further highlight emerging concepts such as the gut-brain axis, precision nutrition, and biomarker-guided interventions, which are shaping the future of personalized neurorehabilitation. Ultimately, while dietary supplements offer a promising, cost-effective and accessible adjunctive approach. their current clinical utility is constrained by mixed translational efficacy. Overcoming these limitations will require rigorous patient selection, optimized timing, and shift towards evidence-based personalized, multimodal strategies. This will be essential to fully harness their therapeutic potential in improving cognitive and behavioural outcomes in stroke recovery.

PMID:
42998819
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 08 Nov 2026.

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