Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/208152

Title

Docosahexaenoic acid-rich fish oil modulates the cerebral hemodynamic response to cognitive tasks in healthy young adults

Author(s)

Jackson, Philippa A.;  Reay, Jonathon L.;  Scholey, Andrew B.;  Kennedy, David O.

Abstract

A number of recent studies have assessed the impact of dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) on behavioral outcomes; however, very little attention has been given to their impact upon brain function in physiological terms. Sixty-five healthy adults aged 18-29 yrs took part in this double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessing the effects of 12 weeks daily dietary supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid-rich fish oil (1 g, 2 g) or placebo (olive oil). Relative changes in the concentration of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin were assessed in the prefrontal cortex using near-infrared spectroscopy during performance of nine computerized cognitive tasks. Supplementation with both doses of fish oil, in comparison with placebo, resulted in significantly increased concentrations of oxyhemoglobin and total levels of hemoglobin, indicative of increased cerebral blood flow, during the cognitive tasks. Changes in hemodynamic response to tasks were not accompanied by consistent changes in cognitive performance.

Publication type

Journal article

Research centre

Swinburne University of Technology. Faculty of Life and Social Sciences. Brain Sciences Institute

Source

Biological Psychology, Vol. 89, no. 1 (Jan 2012), pp. 183-190

Publication year

2012

FOR Code(s)

1109 Neurosciences;  1701 Psychology;  1702 Cognitive Sciences

Keyword(s)

Cognitive function;  Docosahexaenoic acid;  Fish oil;  Near-infrared spectroscopy

Publisher

Elsevier

ISSN

0301-0511

Publisher URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2011.10.006

Copyright

Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Peer reviewed