Cognitive changes with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in non-demented older adults with low omega-3 index Docosahexaenoic acid for reading, working memory and behavior in UK children aged 7-9: A randomized controlled trial for replication (the DOLAB II study) Reduced Symptoms of Inattention after Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation in Boys with and without Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Omega-3 Fatty Acid Deficiency in Infants before Birth Identified Using a Randomized Trial of Maternal DHA Supplementation in Pregnancy Omega-3 Fatty Acid Plasma Levels Before and After Supplementation: Correlations with Mood and Clinical Outcomes in the Omega-3 and Therapy Studies. Omega 3/6 fatty acids for reading in children: a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial in 9‐year‐old mainstream schoolchildren in Sweden Omega-3 Supplementation and Loneliness-Related Memory Problems: Secondary Analyses of a Randomized Controlled Trial Effect of supplementation with long-chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on behavior and cognition in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a randomized placebo-controlled intervention trial. The n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Supplementation Improved the Cognitive Function in the Chinese Elderly with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial Increased Erythrocyte Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid Are Associated With Improved Attention and Behavior in Children With ADHD in a Randomized Controlled Three-Way Crossover Trial Brain atrophy in cognitively impaired elderly: the importance of long-chain ω-3 fatty acids and B vitamin status in a randomized controlled trial. Effects of krill oil containing n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in phospholipid form on human brain function: a randomized controlled trial in healthy elderly volunteers Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids improve brain function and structure in older adults. Omega-3 supplementation improves cognition and modifies brain activation in young adults. A mindfulness-based stress management program and treatment with omega-3 fatty acids to maintain a healthy mental state in hospital nurses (Happy Nurse Project): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial The effect of 12-wk ω-3 fatty acid supplementation on in vivo thalamus glutathione concentration in patients "at risk" for major depression. Randomized controlled trial of maternal omega-3 long-chain PUFA supplementation during pregnancy and early childhood development of attention, working memory, and inhibitory control. Fish oil supplementation increases event-related posterior cingulate activation in older adults with subjective memory impairment Randomized trial of omega-3 for autism spectrum disorders: Effect on cell membrane composition and behavior Omega-3 fatty acids and stress-induced changes to mood and cognition in healthy individuals Effects of fish oil supplementation on learning and behaviour of children from Australian Indigenous remote community schools: a randomised controlled trial. Omega-3 supplementation during the first 5 years of life and later academic performance: a randomised controlled trial Clinical significance of neuropsychological improvement after supplementation with omega-3 in 8-12 years old malnourished Mexican children: a randomized, double-blind, placebo and treatment clinical trial.
Objectives To investigate the changes in specific domains of cognitive function in older adults reporting subjective memory complaints with a low omega-3 index receiving omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ( n-3 PUFA ) supplementation or placebo . Design This is a secondary exploratory analysis of the Multidomain Alzheimer Preventive Trial ( MAPT ) using subjects r and omized to the n-3 PUFA supplementation or placebo group . Setting French community dwellers aged 70 or over reporting subjective memory complaints , but free from clinical dementia . Participants A subgroup of MAPT subjects in the lowest quartile of omega-3 index distribution with baseline values ≤ 4.83 % ( n = 183).InterventionThe  n-3 PUFA supplementation group consumed a daily dose of DHA ( 800 mg ) and EPA ( a maximum amount of 225 mg ) for 3 years . The placebo group received identical capsules comprising liquid paraffin oil . Measurements Linear mixed-model repeated- measures analyses were used including baseline , 6 , 12 , 24 and 36-month follow-up data to assess between-group differences in the change in eight cognitive tests over 36 months . Results There was less decline on the Controlled Oral Word Association Test ( COWAT ) in the n-3 PUFA supplementation group compared to placebo ( p = 0.009 ; between group mean difference over 36 months , 2.3 ; 95 % CI , 0.6,4.0 ) . No significant differences for any of the other cognitive tests were found , including other tests of executive functioning , although , numerically all results were in favour of the n-3 PUFA supplementation . Conclusions We found some evidence that n-3 PUFAs might be beneficial for the maintenance of executive functioning in older adults at risk of dementia with low omega-3 index , but this exploratory finding requires further confirmation . A larger specifically design ed r and omised controlled trial could be merited Background Omega-3 fatty acids are central to brain-development of children . Evidence from clinical trials and systematic review s demonstrates the potential of long-chain Omega-3 supplementation for learning and behavior . However , findings are inconclusive and in need of robust replication studies since such work is lacking . Objectives Replication of the 2012 DOLAB 1 study findings that a dietary supplementation with the long-chain omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) had beneficial effects on the reading , working memory , and behavior of healthy schoolchildren . Design Parallel group , fixed-dose , r and omized ( minimization , 30 % r and om element ) , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial ( RCT ) . Setting Mainstream primary schools ( n = 84 ) from five counties in the UK in 2012–2015 . Participants Healthy children aged 7–9 underperforming in reading ( < 20th centile ) . 1230 invited , 376 met study criteria . Intervention 600 mg/day DHA ( from algal oil ) , placebo : taste/color matched corn/soybean oil ; for 16 weeks . Main outcome measures Age-st and ardized measures of reading , working memory , and behavior , parent-rated and as secondary outcome teacher-rated . Results 376 children were r and omized . Reading , working memory , and behavior change scores showed no consistent differences between intervention and placebo group . Some behavioral subscales showed minor group differences . Conclusions This RCT did not replicate results of the earlier DOLAB 1 study on the effectiveness of nutritional supplementation with DHA for learning and behavior . Possible reasons are discussed , particularly regarding the replication of complex interventions . Trial registration and protocol www.controlled-trials.com ( IS RCT N48803273 ) and protocol s.io ( https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/ protocol s.io.k8kczuw Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) is one of the most common child psychiatric disorders , and is often treated with stimulant medication . Nonpharmacological treatments include dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids , although their effectiveness remains to be shown conclusively . In this study , we investigated the effects of dietary omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on ADHD symptoms and cognitive control in young boys with and without ADHD . A total of 40 boys with ADHD , aged 8–14 years , and 39 matched , typically developing controls participated in a 16-week double-blind r and omized placebo-controlled trial . Participants consumed 10 g of margarine daily , enriched with either 650 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) each or placebo . Baseline and follow-up assessment s addressed ADHD symptoms , fMRI of cognitive control , urine homovanillic acid , and cheek cell phospholipid sampling . EPA/DHA supplementation improved parent-rated attention in both children with ADHD and typically developing children . Phospholipid DHA level at follow-up was higher for children receiving EPA/DHA supplements than placebo . There was no effect of EPA/DHA supplementation on cognitive control or on fMRI measures of brain activity . This study shows that dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids  reduces symptoms of ADHD , both for individuals with ADHD and typically developing children . This effect does not appear to be mediated by cognitive control systems in the brain , as no effect of supplementation was found here . Nonetheless , this study offers support that omega-3 supplementation may be an effective augmentation for pharmacological treatments of ADHD ( NCT01554462 : The Effects of EPA/DHA Supplementation on Cognitive Control in Children with ADHD ; http:// clinical trials.gov/show/NCT01554462 ) Background DHA is accumulated in the central nervous system ( CNS ) before birth and is involved in early developmental processes , such as neurite outgrowth and gene expression . Objective To determine whether fetal DHA insufficiency occurs and constrains CNS development in term gestation infants . Design A risk reduction model using a r and omized prospect i ve study of term gestation single birth healthy infants born to women ( n = 270 ) given a placebo or 400 mg/day DHA from 16 wk gestation to delivery . Fetal DHA deficiency sufficient to constrain CNS development was assessed based on increased risk that infants in the placebo group would not achieve neurodevelopment scores in the top quartile of all infants in the study . Results Infants in the placebo group were at increased risk of lower language development assessed as words understood ( OR 3.22 , CL 1.49–6.94 , P = 0.002 ) and produced ( OR 2.61 , CL 1.22–5.58 , P = 0.01 ) at 14 mo , and words understood ( OR 2.77 , CL 1.23–6.28 , P = 0.03 ) and sentences produced ( OR 2.60 , CL 1.15–5.89 , P = 0.02 ) at 18 mo using the McArthur Communicative Developmental Inventory ; receptive ( OR 2.23 , CL 1.08–4.60 , P = 0.02 ) and expressive language ( OR 1.89 , CL 0.94–3.83 , P = 0.05 ) at 18 mo using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development III ; and visual acuity ( OR 2.69 , CL 1.10–6.54 , P = 0.03 ) at 2 mo . Trial Registration Clinical Trials.gov OBJECTIVE To examine fatty acid profiles , their response to omega-3 fatty acid ( Ω3 ) supplementation , and associations with clinical status and treatment response in youth with mood disorders . METHODS In a placebo-controlled 2X2 design , 7 - 14 year-olds ( N = 95 ) in parallel pilot trials ( depression N = 72 ; bipolar N = 23 ) were r and omly assigned to 12 weeks of Ω3 supplementation ( 1.4 g eicosapentaenoic acid [ EPA ] , 0.2 g docosahexaenoic acid [ DHA ] , and 0.27 g other Ω3 per day ) ; psychoeducational psychotherapy ( PEP ) ; their combination ; or placebo ( mainly oleic and linoleic acid ) alone . Blood was drawn at baseline ( N = 90 ) and endpoint ( n = 65 ) . Fatty acid levels were expressed as percent of total plasma fatty acids . Correlational and moderator/mediator analyses were done with SPSS Statistics 23 . RESULTS At baseline : ( 1 ) DHA correlated negatively with alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA ) ( r = -0.23 , p = 0.029 ) ; ( 2 ) Arachidonic acid ( AA , Ω6 ) correlated negatively with global functioning ( r = -0.24 , p = 0.022 ) ; ( 3 ) Total Ω3 correlated negatively with age ( r = -0.22 , p = 0.036 ) and diastolic blood pressure ( r = -0.31 , p = 0.006 ) . Moderation : Baseline ALA moderated response to Ω3 supplementation : ALA levels above the sample mean ( lower DHA ) predicted significantly better placebo-controlled response ( p = 0.04 ) . Supplementation effects : Compared to placebo , 2 g Ω3 per day increased EPA blood levels sevenfold and DHA levels by half ( both p < 0.001 ) . Body weight correlated inversely with increased EPA ( r = -0.52 , p = 0.004 ) and DHA ( r = -0.54 , p = 0.003 ) and positively with clinical mood response . Mediation : EPA increase baseline-to-endpoint mediated placebo-controlled global function and depression improvement : the greater the EPA increase , the less the placebo-controlled Ω3 improvement .  CONCLUSION  Ω3 supplementation at 2 g/day increases blood levels substantially , more so in smaller children . A possible U-shaped response curve should be explored BACKGROUND Previous research has shown positive effects of Omega 3/6 fatty acids in children with inattention and reading difficulties .  We aim ed to investigate if Omega 3/6 improved reading ability  in mainstream schoolchildren . METHODS We performed a 3-month parallel , r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial followed by 3-month active treatment for all subjects . Mainstream schoolchildren aged 9 - 10 years were r and omized 1:1 to receive three Omega 3/6 capsules twice daily or identical placebo . Assessment s were made at baseline , 3 months , and 6 months . The primary outcome measure was the Logos test battery for evaluating reading abilities . The trial is registered with Clinical Trials.gov , number NCT02557477 . RESULTS The study enrolled 154 children ( active n = 78 ; placebo n = 76 ) , of whom 122 completed the first 3 months ( active n = 64 ; placebo n = 58 ) and 105 completed the whole study ( active/active n = 55 ; placebo/active n = 50 ) . Outcomes were assessed by per protocol ( PP ) and intention-to-treat ( ITT ) analyses . Active treatment was superior to placebo at 3 months for improvement in phonologic decoding time ( PP active/placebo difference -0.16 ; 95 % CI -0.03 , -0.29 ; effect size ( ES ) .44 ; p = .005 ; and ITT ES .37 ; p = .036 ) , in visual analysis time ( PP active/placebo difference -0.19 ; 95 % CI -0.05 , -0.33 ; ES .49 ; p = .013 ; and ITT ES .40 ; p = .01 ) , and for boys in phonologic decoding time ( PP -0.22 ; 95 % CI -0.03 , -0.41 ; ES .62 ; p = .004 ) . Children with ADHD-RS scores above the median showed treatment benefits in visual analysis time ( PP ES .8 , p = .009 ) , reading speed per word ( PP ES .61 , p = .008 ) , and phonologic decoding time per word ( PP ES .85 , p = .006 ) . Adverse events were rare and mild , mainly stomach pain/diarrhea ( active n = 9 , placebo n = 2 ) . CONCLUSIONS Compared with placebo , 3 months of Omega 3/6 treatment improved reading ability - specifically the clinical ly relevant ' phonologic decoding time ' and ' visual analysis  time ' - in mainstream schoolchildren . In particular , children with attention problems showed treatment benefits Objective Loneliness enhances risk for episodic memory declines over time . Omega-3 supplementation can improve cognitive function for people experiencing mild cognitive difficulties . Accordingly , we explored whether omega-3 supplementation would attenuate  loneliness-related episodic memory problems . Methods Participants ( n = 138 ) from a parent r and omized controlled trial were r and omized to the placebo , 1.25 grams/d of omega-3 , or 2.50 grams/d of omega-3 conditions for a 4-month period . They completed a baseline loneliness question naire and a battery of cognitive tests both at baseline and at the end of the r and omized controlled trial . Results After adjustment for baseline verbal episodic memory scores , lonelier people within the placebo condition had poorer verbal episodic memory postsupplementation , as measured by immediate ( b = −0.28 , t ( 117 ) = −2.62 , p = .010 ) and long-delay ( b = −0.06 , t ( 116 ) = −2.07 , p = .040 ) free recall , than their less lonely counterparts . This effect was not observed in the 1.25- and 2.50-grams/d supplementation groups ( all p values > .10 ) . The plasma omega-6:omega-3 ratio data mirrored these results . There were no loneliness-related effects of omega-3 supplementation on short-delay recall or the other cognitive tests ( all p values > .32 ) . Conclusion These results suggest that omega-3 supplementation attenuates  loneliness-related verbal episodic memory declines over time and support the use of exploring novel interventions for treating episodic memory problems among lonely people . Trial Registration clinical trials.gov Identifier : NCT00385723 OBJECTIVE To determine whether supplementation with the long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic ( EPA ) and docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) affects behavioral symptoms and cognitive impairments in children 6 - 12 years of age diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) . STUDY DESIGN The r and omized , double-blind placebo-controlled 16 weeks trial was conducted with 95 children diagnosed with ADHD according to DSM-IV criteria . Behavior was assessed by parents , teachers and investigators using st and ardized rating scales and question naires . Further outcome variables were working memory , speed of information processing and various measures of attention . For a subgroup of 81 participants , erythrocyte membrane fatty acid composition was analyzed before and after the intervention . RESULTS Supplementation with the omega-3 fatty acid mix increased EPA and DHA concentrations in erythrocyte membranes and improved working memory function , but had no effect on other cognitive measures and parent- and teacher-rated behavior in the study population . Improved working memory correlated significantly with increased EPA , DHA and decreased AA ( arachidonic acid ) Objective : Intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ( n-3 PUFAs ) may protect against mild cognitive impairment ( MCI ) . However , there is still a lack of the n-3 PUFAs intervention in the elderly with MCI in China . The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of n-3 PUFA supplementation on cognitive function in the Chinese elderly with MCI . Methods : Eighty six MCI individuals aged 60 years or older were r and omly assigned to receive either n-3 PUFAs ( 480 mg DHA and 720 mg EPA per day , n = 44 ) or placebo ( olive oil , n = 42 ) capsules . The changes of cognitive functions were assessed using Basic Cognitive Aptitude Tests ( BCAT ) . Results : The mean age of participants was 71 years old , and 59 % of the participants were men .  n-3 PUFA supplementation was associated with improved total BCAT scores , perceptual speed , space imagery efficiency , and working memory ( p < 0.01 ) , but not with mental arithmetic efficiency or recognition memory ( p > 0.05 ) . Subgroup analysis by sex showed that n-3 PUFAs significantly improved perceptual speed ( p = 0.001 ) , space imagery efficiency ( p = 0.013 ) , working memory ( p = 0.018 ) , and total BCAT scores ( p = 0.000 ) in males . However , in females , the significant beneficial effects can only be observed in perceptual speed ( p = 0.027 ) , space imagery efficiency ( p = 0.006 ) , and total BCAT scores ( p = 0.015)—not working memory ( p = 0.113 ) . Conclusion : n-3 PUFAs can improve cognitive function in people with MCI . Further studies with different fish oil dosages , longer intervention periods , and larger sample sizes should be investigated before definite recommendations can be made Objective : To investigate effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ( n-3 PUFA ) docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) and eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) on attention , literacy , and behavior in children with ADHD . Method : Ninety children were r and omized to consume supplements high in EPA , DHA , or linoleic acid ( control ) for 4 months each in a crossover design . Erythrocyte fatty acids , attention , cognition , literacy , and Conners ’ Parent Rating Scales ( CPRS ) were measured at 0 , 4 , 8 , 12 months . Results : Fifty-three children completed the treatment . Outcome measures showed no significant differences between the three treatments . However , in children with blood sample s ( n = 76 - 46 ) , increased erythrocyte EPA + DHA was associated with improved spelling ( r = .365 , p < .001 ) and attention ( r = −.540 , p < .001 ) and reduced oppositional behavior ( r = −.301 , p < .003 ) , hyperactivity ( r = −.310 , p < .001 ) , cognitive problems ( r = −.326 , p < .001 ) , Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( 4th ed . ; DSM-IV ) hyperactivity ( r = −.270 , p = .002 ) and DSM-IV inattention ( r = −.343 , p < .001 ) . Conclusion : Increasing erythrocyte DHA and EPA via dietary supplementation may improve behavior , attention , and literacy in children with ADHD BACKGROUND Increased brain atrophy rates are common in older people with cognitive impairment , particularly in those who eventually convert to Alzheimer disease . Plasma concentrations of omega-3 ( ω-3 ) fatty acids and homocysteine are associated with the development of brain atrophy and dementia . OBJECTIVE We investigated whether plasma ω-3 fatty acid concentrations ( eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid ) modify the treatment effect of homocysteine-lowering B vitamins on brain atrophy rates in a placebo-controlled trial ( VITACOG ) . DESIGN This retrospective analysis included 168 elderly people ( ≥70 y ) with mild cognitive impairment , r and omly assigned either to placebo ( n = 83 ) or to daily high-dose B vitamin supplementation ( folic acid , 0.8 mg ; vitamin B-6 , 20 mg ; vitamin B-12 , 0.5 mg ) ( n = 85 ) . The subjects underwent cranial magnetic resonance imaging scans at baseline and 2 y later . The effect of the intervention was analyzed according to tertiles of baseline ω-3 fatty acid concentrations . RESULTS There was a significant interaction ( P = 0.024 ) between B vitamin treatment and plasma combined ω-3 fatty acids ( eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid ) on brain atrophy rates . In subjects with high baseline ω-3 fatty acids ( > 590 μmol/L ) , B vitamin treatment slowed the mean atrophy rate by 40.0 % compared with placebo ( P = 0.023 ) . B vitamin treatment had no significant effect on the rate of atrophy among subjects with low baseline ω-3 fatty acids ( < 390 μmol/L ) . High baseline ω-3 fatty acids were associated with a slower rate of brain atrophy in the B vitamin group but not in the placebo group . CONCLUSIONS The beneficial effect of B vitamin treatment on brain atrophy was observed only in subjects with high plasma ω-3 fatty acids . It is also suggested that the beneficial effect of ω-3 fatty acids on brain atrophy may be confined to subjects with good B vitamin status . The results highlight the importance of identifying subgroups likely to benefit in clinical trials . This trial was registered at www.controlled-trials.com as IS RCT N94410159 Background Krill oil , rich in n-3 ( omega-3 ) polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs ) incorporated in phosphatidylcholine , has been reported to have many effects on physiological function . However , there are few studies using psychophysiological methods published that describe the effects of krill oil on brain function . We investigated the influence of ingestion of krill oil on cognitive function in elderly subjects by using near-infrared spectroscopy and electroencephalography . Methods A r and omized , double-blind , parallel-group comparative study design was adopted . Forty-five healthy elderly males aged 61–72 years were assigned to receive 12 weeks of treatment with : medium-chain triglycerides as placebo ; krill oil , which is rich in n-3 PUFAs incorporated in phosphatidylcholine ; or sardine oil , which is abundant in n-3 PUFAs incorporated in triglycerides . Changes in oxyhemoglobin concentrations in the cerebral cortex during memory and calculation tasks were measured . The P300 component of event-related potentials was also measured during a working memory task . Results During the working memory task , changes in oxyhemoglobin concentrations in the krill oil and sardine oil groups were significantly greater than those in the medium-chain triglyceride group at week 12 . The differential value for P300 latency in the krill oil group was significantly lower than that in the medium-chain triglyceride group at week 12 . With regard to the calculation task , changes in oxyhemoglobin concentrations in the krill oil group were significantly greater than those in the medium-chain triglyceride group at week 12 . Conclusion This study provides evidence that n-3 PUFAs activate cognitive function in the elderly . This is especially the case with krill oil , in which the majority of n-3 PUFAs are incorporated into phosphatidylcholine , causing it to be more effective than sardine oil , in which n-3 PUFAs are present as triglycerides Higher intake of seafish or oil rich in long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ( LC-n3-FA ) may be beneficial for the aging brain . We tested in a prospect i ve interventional design whether high levels of supplementary LC-n3-FA would improve cognition , and addressed potential mechanisms underlying the effects . Sixty-five healthy subjects ( 50 - 75 years , 30 females ) successfully completed 26 weeks of either fish oil ( 2.2 g/day LC-n3-FA ) or placebo intake . Before and after the intervention period , cognitive performance , structural neuroimaging , vascular markers , and blood parameters were assayed . We found a significant increase in executive functions after LC-n3-FA compared with placebo ( P = 0.023 ) . In parallel , LC-n3-FA exerted beneficial effects on white matter microstructural integrity and gray matter volume in frontal , temporal , parietal , and limbic areas primarily of the left hemisphere , and on carotid intima media thickness and diastolic blood pressure . Improvements in executive functions correlated positively with changes in omega-3-index and peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor , and negatively with changes in peripheral fasting insulin . This double-blind r and omized interventional study provides first-time evidence that LC-n3-FA exert positive effects on brain functions in healthy older adults , and eluci date s underlying mechanisms . Our findings suggest novel strategies to maintain cognitive functions into old age OBJECTIVE The current study aim ed to investigate the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)-rich and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich supplementations on  cognitive performance and functional brain activation . DESIGN A double-blind , counterbalanced , crossover design , with a 30-day washout period between two supplementation periods ( EPA-rich and DHA-rich ) was employed . Functional magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained during performance of Stroop and Spatial Working Memory tasks prior to supplementation and after each 30-day supplementation period . RESULTS Both supplementations result ed in reduced ratio of arachidonic acid to EPA levels . Following the EPA-rich supplementation , there was a reduction in functional activation in the left anterior cingulate cortex and an increase in activation in the right pre central gyrus coupled with a reduction in reaction times on the colour-word Stroop task . By contrast , the DHA-rich supplementation led to a significant increase in functional activation in the right pre central gyrus during the Stroop and Spatial Working Memory tasks , but there was no change in behavioural performance . CONCLUSIONS By extending the theory of neural efficiency to the within-subject neurocognitive effects of supplementation , we concluded that following the EPA-rich supplementation , participants ' brains worked ' less hard ' and achieved a better cognitive performance than prior to supplementation . Conversely , the increase in functional activation and lack of improvement in time or accuracy of cognitive performance following DHA-rich supplementation may indicate that DHA-rich supplementation is less effective than EPA-rich supplementation in enhancing neurocognitive functioning after a 30-day supplementation period in the same group of individuals Background It is reported that nursing is one of the most vulnerable jobs for developing depression . While they may not be clinical ly diagnosed as depressed , nurses often suffer from depression and anxiety symptoms , which can lead to a low level of patient care . However , there is no rigorous evidence base for determining an effective prevention strategy for these symptoms in nurses . After review ing previous literature , we chose a strategy of treatment with omega-3 fatty acids and a mindfulness-based stress management program for this purpose . We aim to explore the effectiveness of these intervention options for junior nurses working in hospital wards in Japan . Methods / Design A factorial- design multi-center r and omized trial is currently being conducted . A total of 120 nurses without a managerial position , who work for general hospitals and gave informed consent , have been r and omly allocated to a stress management program or psychoeducation using a leaflet , and to omega-3 fatty acids or identical placebo pills . The stress management program has been developed according to mindfulness cognitive therapy and consists of four 30-minute individual sessions conducted using a detailed manual . These sessions are conducted by nurses with a managerial position . Participants allocated to the omega-3 fatty acid groups are provided with 1,200 mg/day of eicosapentaenoic acid and 600 mg/day of docosahexaenoic acid for 90 days . The primary outcome is the change in the total score of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale ( HADS ) , determined by a blinded rater via the telephone at week 26 . Secondary outcomes include the change in HADS score at 13 and 52 weeks ; presence of a major depressive episode ; severity of depression , anxiety , insomnia , burnout , and presenteeism ; utility scores and adverse events at 13 , 26 and 52 weeks . Discussion An effective preventive intervention may not only lead to the maintenance of a healthy mental state in nurses , but also to better quality of care for in patients . This paper outlines the background and methods of a r and omized trial that evaluates the possible additive value of omega-3 fatty acids and a mindfulness-based stress management program for reducing depression in nurses . Trial registration Clinical trials.gov : NCT02151162 ( registered on 27 May 2014 ) OBJECTIVES As life expectancy increases , the need to prevent major health disorders is clear . Depressive symptoms are common in older adults and are associated with cognitive decline and greater risk for transitioning to major depression . Oxidative stress may be implicated in the pathophysiology of major depression and can be measured in vivo using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy via the neurometabolite glutathione ( GSH ) . Evidence suggests ω-3 fatty acid ( FA ) supplementation may prevent depression and directly affect GSH concentration . The aim of this study was to examine the effect of ω-3 FA supplementation on in vivo GSH concentration in older adults at risk for depression . METHODS Fifty-one older adults at risk for depression were r and omized to receive either four 1000-mg ω-3 FA supplements daily ( containing eicosapentaenoic acid 1200 mg plus docosahexaenoic acid 800 mg ) or placebo ( four 1000-mg paraffin oil placebo capsules daily ) for 12 wk . Participants underwent magnetic resonance spectroscopy , as well as medical , neuropsychological , and self-report assessment s at baseline and after 12 wk of supplementation . GSH was measured in the thalamus and calculated as a ratio to creatine . Depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Question naire . RESULTS Compared with the group given the ω-3 FA supplements , the placebo group had greater change in the GSH-to-creatine ratio in the thalamus ( t = 2.00 ; P = 0.049 ) after the 12 wk intervention . This increase was in turn associated with a worsening of depressive symptoms ( r = 0.43 ; P = 0.043 ) . CONCLUSIONS Depressive symptom severity in older adults appears to be associated with increased brain levels of GSH , a key marker of oxidative stress . Importantly , ω-3 FA supplementation may attenuate oxidative stress mechanisms , thereby offering benefits for depression prevention BACKGROUND Docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) accumulates in the hippocampus and frontal lobes of the fetal brain during the last trimester of pregnancy . These areas of the brain contribute to attention and working memory and inhibitory control ( WMIC ) . OBJECTIVE We evaluated the effect of maternal omega-3 ( n-3 ) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in pregnancy on child attention and WMIC . DESIGN A total of 185 term-born children of mothers who were r and omly allocated to consume 800 mg DHA/d ( treatment ) or a placebo ( control )  from ∼20 wk of gestation until birth were assessed with multiple measures of attention and WMIC at a mean ( ± SD ) of 27 ± 2 mo . Primary outcomes were the average time it took to be distracted when playing with a toy ( distractibility ) and the accuracy of remembering a new hiding location while inhibiting a learned response to search in the previous location ( WMIC ) . RESULTS Assessment s were completed by 81 children in the treatment group ( mean ± SD age : 835 ± 50.4 d ) and 77 children in the control group ( 839 ± 65.6 d ) . There was no effect of supplementation on primary outcomes [ distractibility mean difference : -0.2 s ( 95 % CI : -0.7 , 0.4 s ) ; WMIC mean difference : 8.9 mm ( 95 % CI : -10.6 , 28.3 mm ) ] . There was no difference between DHA-supplemented and control groups except that treatment-group children looked away from the toys fewer times than controls when presented with multiple toys competing for attention but less accurately remembered a repeated hiding location . These secondary effects were not consistent with any other outcomes and may have been a result of chance . Cord plasma DHA was not consistently associated with attention and WMIC . CONCLUSION Maternal DHA supplementation during pregnancy does not enhance attention or WMIC in term-born preschoolers . The DHA for Maternal and Infant Outcomes trial was registered at www.anzctr.org.au as ACTRN1260500056906 Objective To determine the effects of long-chain omega-3 ( LCn-3 ) fatty acids found in fish oil , including eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) and docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) , on cortical blood oxygen level-dependent ( BOLD ) activity during a working memory task in older adults with subjective memory impairment . Design R and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled study . Setting Academic medical center . Participants Healthy older adults ( 62–80 years ) with subjective memory impairment , but not meeting criteria for mild cognitive impairment or dementia . InterventionFish oil ( EPA+DHA : 2.4 g/d , n=11 ) or placebo ( corn oil , n=10 ) for 24 weeks . Measurements Cortical BOLD response patterns during performance of a sequential letter n-back working memory task were determined at baseline and week 24 by functional magnetic resonance imaging ( fMRI ) . Results At 24 weeks erythrocyte membrane EPA+DHA composition increased significantly from baseline in participants receiving fish oil ( + 31 % , p≤0.0001 ) but not placebo ( −17 % , p=0.06 ) . Multivariate modeling of fMRI data identified a significant interaction among treatment , visit , and memory loading in the right cingulate ( BA 23/24 ) , and in the right sensorimotor area ( BA 3/4 ) . In the fish oil group , BOLD increases at 24 weeks were observed in the right posterior cingulate and left superior frontal regions during memory loading . A region-of-interest analysis indicated that the baseline to endpoint change in posterior cingulate cortex BOLD activity signal was significantly greater in the fish oil group compared with the placebo group during the 1-back ( p=0.0003 ) and 2-back ( p=0.0005 ) conditions . Among all participants , the change in erythrocyte EPA+DHA during the intervention was associated with performance in the 2-back working memory task ( p = 0.01 ) , and with cingulate BOLD signal during the 1-back ( p = 0.005 ) with a trend during the 2-back ( p = 0.09 ) . Further , cingulate BOLD activity was related to performance in the 2-back condition . Conclusions Dietary fish oil supplementation increases red blood cell omega-3 content , working memory performance , and BOLD signal in the posterior cingulate cortex during greater working memory load in older adults with subjective memory impairment suggesting enhanced neuronal response to working memory challenge A high ω6/ω3 ratio [ fatty acid ( FA ) index ] in the cell membrane has been associated with inadequate brain development . It has started to be used as a biomarker of treatment efficacy in human diseases . The aim of this study was to investigate if omega-3 supplementation improves erythrocyte membrane ω6/ω3 , plasma antioxidant status ( TAS ) and autistic behaviors . A r and omized , crossover , placebo-controlled study was design ed to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of supplementation with ω3 ( 962mg/d and 1155mg/d for children and adolescents , respectively ) . Sixty-eight children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders ( ASD ) completed the full protocol . Primary outcome measures were erythrocyte membrane FA composition and TAS . Secondary outcome measures were Social Responsiveness Scale and Clinical Global Impression-Severity .  Treatment with ω3  improved the erythrocyte membrane ω6/ω3 ratio ( treatment effect p<0.008 , d=0.66 ; within subjects effect p<0.007 , d=0.5 ) without changing TAS . There was a within subjects significant improvement in Social Motivation and Social Communication subscales scores , with a moderate to large effect size ( p=0.004 , d=0.73 and p=0.025 , d=0.79 respectively ) , but no treatment effect ( treatment-placebo order ) . Carryover effects can not be discarded as responsible for the results in behavioral measures . In conclusion , supplementation with ω3 FA might be studied as an add-on to behavioral therapies in ASD . Optimal duration of treatment requires further investigation . With regard to side effects , the effect of this supplementation on the lipid profile needs monitoring Omega-3 fatty acid ( n-3 PUFA ) intake is associated with improved mood and cognition , but r and omized controlled trials addressing the causal nature of such relationships are less clear , especially in healthy , young adults . Stress is one potential mechanism by which n-3 PUFAs may influence mood . Thus the present aim is to evaluate the influence of n-3 PUFA supplementation on stress-induced changes to mood , cognition , and physiological stress markers in healthy , young adults . Using a double-blind , placebo-controlled design , 72 young adults were r and omized to receive 2800mg/day fish oil ( n=36 , 23 females ) or olive oil control ( n=36 , 22 females ) for 35days . Subjects completed measures of mood and cognition before supplementation , and two times after supplementation : following an acute stressor or non-stressful control task . The stress induction was effective in that the stressor impaired mood , including augmenting feelings of tension , anger , confusion and anxiety , reduced accuracy on a cognitive task measuring attentional control and the ability to regulate emotion , and increased salivary cortisol and pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β ( IL-1β ) . Rated anger and confusion increased with stress in the olive oil group , but remained stable in the fish oil group . However , fish oil had no further effects on mood , cognitive function , cortisol , or IL-1β . Fish oil exerted few effects in stressful and non-stressful situations , consistent with findings showing little influence of n-3 PUFA supplementation on mood and cognition in young , healthy individuals . Potential target population s who would more likely benefit from increased n-3 PUFA intake are discussed Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for brain function . We recruited 409 children aged 3 - 13 years ( M=8.27 , SD=2.17 ) for a r and omised controlled trial supplementing with placebo or fish oil capsules ( providing 750 mg docosahexaenoic plus eicosapentaenoic acids , and 60 mg gamma linolenic acid/school day ) for 20 school weeks ( Phase 1 ) followed by one-way crossover to fish oil ( Phase 2 ) . Children undertook assessment s of reading , spelling and non-verbal cognitive development ( Draw-A-Person ) at baseline , 20 and 40 weeks . Teachers completed Conners Behaviour Rating Scales ( CBRS ) . The treatment group showed improvements in Draw-A-Person compared with the placebo during Phase 1 ( p=0.029 ) , with strongest effects in Indigenous 7 - 12 year olds ( p=0.008 ) . The placebo group showed significant within-group improvements after switching to treatment ( p<0.001 ) . There was no treatment effect for reading or spelling , and CBRS data were unable to be analysed . These findings may be understood in the context that sustained school attendance and nutrition interact to produce school-related achievement Background / objectives : Consumption of oily fish more than once per week has been shown to improve cognitive outcomes in children . However , it is unknown whether similar benefits can be achieved by long-term omega-3 fatty acid supplementation . The objective was to investigate the effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation during the first 5 years of life on subsequent academic performance in children by conducting a secondary analysis of the CAPS ( Childhood Asthma Prevention Study ) .Subjects/ methods : A total of 616 infants with a family history of asthma were r and omised to receive tuna fish oil ( high in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids , active ) or Sunola oil ( low in omega-3 fatty acids , control ) from the time breastfeeding ceased or at the age of 6 months until the age of 5 years . Academic performance was measured by a nationally st and ardised assessment of literacy and numeracy ( National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy ( NAPLAN ) ) in school years 3 , 5 , 7 and 9 . Plasma omega-3 fatty acid levels were measured at regular intervals until 8 years of age . Between-group differences in test scores , adjusted for maternal age , birth weight and maternal education , were estimated using mixed-model regression . Results : Among 239 children , there were no significant differences in NAPLAN scores between active and control groups . However , at 8 years , the proportion of omega-3 fatty acid in plasma was positively associated with the NAPLAN score ( 0.13 s.d . unit increase in score per 1 % absolute increase in plasma omega-3 fatty acid ( 95 % CI 0.03 , 0.23 ) ) . Conclusions : Our findings do not support the practice of supplementing omega-3 fatty acids in the diet of young children to improve academic outcomes . Further exploration is needed to underst and the association between plasma omega-3 fatty acid levels at 8 years and academic performance It has been shown that supplementation with omega-3 improves cognitive performance , especially in infants and toddlers , but it is unknown whether these results are effective in older malnourished children . The aims of this study , therefore , were to investigate the omega-3 supplementation effects in 8- to 12-year-old children and to know which neuropsychological functions improve after three months of intervention in a sample of Mexican children with mild to moderate malnutrition . This study was a r and omized , double-blind , treatment and placebo study of 59 children aged 8 - 12 years who were individually allocated to 2 groups . The duration of the intervention lasted 3 months . Neuropsychological performance was measured at baseline and at 3 months . Results show that more than 50 % of children in the treatment group had greater improvement in 11 of the 18 neuropsychological variables studied . Processing speed , visual-motor coordination , perceptual integration , attention and executive function showed improvement in more than 70 % of the omega-3 supplemented children . This trial was registered at clinical trials.gov as NCT01199120
The brain is the most significant and complex organ of the human body .
Increasingly , we are becoming aware that certain nutrients may help to safeguard brain health .
An expanse of research has investigated the effects of omega fatty acids in relation to brain health but effects across the lifespan have not been widely evaluated .