title: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and cognition throughout the lifespan: a review.
abstract: With increasing awareness of the effects of nutrition on physical and mental health, researchers have begun to further investigate the benefits of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) on health and the brain; however, these benefits remain unclear across  different age groups.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this article is to summarize the current evidence on the cognitive effects of n-3 PUFA throughout the lifespan.
  
  
  METHODS
  An exhaustive review of the literature on the effects of n-3 PUFA on various aspects  of cognition, across the lifespan, was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The research suggests that n-3 PUFA positively affect pre-natal neurodevelopment; however, this cognitive-enhancing effect might diminish post-natally with maturation, as no research on child populations has clearly  tied dietary n-3 PUFA to improved cognitive skills. Overall, few studies have examined the cognitive effects of n-3 PUFA through childhood, young adulthood, and middle age. At later ages, multiple studies found evidence suggesting that n-3 PUFA can protect against neurodegeneration and possibly  reduce the chance of developing cognitive impairment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Age groups central to the lifespan require further investigation into the effects that n-3 PUFA might have on their cognitive skills. The research examining the extremities of the lifespan provides evidence  that n-3 PUFA are essential for neurodevelopment and cognitive maintenance in older adulthood. Future research must develop more consistent methodologies, as variable dosages, supplementation periods, and cognitive measures across different studies have led to disparate results, making the  evidence less comparable and difficult to synthesize.
authors: Psychology Division, Western Oregon University, Monmouth, OR 97361, USA. jkarr06@wou.edu
authors: Justin E
authors: JE
authors: Karr
authors: Joel E
authors: JE
authors: Alexander
authors: Robert G
authors: RG
authors: Winningham
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents