Effect of Omega-3 LCPUFA Intervention on Learning, Cognition, Behaviour and Visual Processing.

Summary

The brain is primarily developed in the third trimester of pregnancy, but continues maturing through the late twenties, especially the prefrontal cortex. Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) are important structural components of neural cell membranes, influence membrane fluidity and signal transduction, and thus learning, cognition and behaviour. Levels of omega-3 LCPUFA have been found to be low in individuals with limitations in these complex brain functions. Previous studies suggested that such functions could be improved by increasing LCPUFA. The adolescent brain, however, has been largely neglected. This study investigates the effect of one-year daily omega-3 LCPUFA supplementation, in particular krill oil, in healthy 14-15 year old adolescents in lower general secondary education (MAVO/VMBO) on learning, cognition, and behaviour. The majority of the omega-3 PUFA in krill oil is incorporated into phospholipids, favouring tissue uptake of its omega-3 PUFA. In a double blind, randomised controlled trial, 300 adolescents preselected from a population of 700 adolescents with low omega-3 index (\<5%) will receive daily omega-3 LCPUFA supplementation or matching placebo. The omega-3 LCPUFA dose will be adjusted individually to reach a target level of 8-11%. The effects on learning (academic achievement, objective cognitive performance), behaviour (mood, self-esteem, motivation, goal-orientation, absenteeism), and in a subsample cognitive processes, in particular perceptual processes measured by eye-tracking will be evaluated after 6, 12, and 24 months. This study will yield important insights in the effects of omega-3 LCPUFA supplementation, a safe intervention, on a large variety of complex brain functions.

Conditions

• Cognitive Function
• Academic Performance
• Mental Health

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Krill oil capsules

1 year supplementation with Krill oil provided by Aker BioMarine Antarctic AS equalling almost the daily recommended amount of 450 mg of EPA/DHA intake per day.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Placebo

Capsules containing a fatty acid mixture that reflects the fatty acid composition of the average European diet.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• Aker BioMarine Human Ingredients AS

  collaborator INDUSTRY

• Omegametrix GmbH

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Metrisquare

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Open University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Renate de Groot, PhD · Open University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

13 Years

Max Age

15 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2014-01-31

Primary Completion

2016-03-31

Completion

2016-08-31

Countries

• Netherlands

Study Locations