DHA-rich oil modulates the cerebral haemodynamic response to cognitive tasks in healthy young adults: a near IR spectroscopy pilot study.
The impact of dietary n-3 PUFA on behavioural outcomes has been widely researched; however, very little attention has been given to their impact on brain functioning in physiological terms. A total of twenty-two healthy adults took part in this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, wherein the cerebral haemodynamic effects of 12 weeks of daily dietary supplementation with either 1 g DHA-rich or 1 g EPA-rich fish oil (FO) or placebo (1 g olive oil) were assessed. Relative changes in the concentration of oxygenated Hb (oxy-Hb) and deoxygenated Hb were assessed in the prefrontal cortex using near IR spectroscopy (NIRS) during the performance of four computerised cognitive tasks. Supplementation with DHA-rich FO, in comparison with placebo, resulted in a significant increase in the concentrations of oxy-Hb and total levels of Hb, indicative of increased cerebral blood flow (CBF), during the cognitive tasks. In comparison, no effect on CBF was observed following supplementation with EPA-rich FO, where concentration changes in the chromophores followed the same pattern as placebo. These encouraging pilot data warrant further application of NIRS in this area.
Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Centre, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK. philippa.jackson@northumbria.ac.uk
Philippa A
PA
Jackson
Jonathon L
JL
Reay
Andrew B
AB
Scholey
David O
DO
Kennedy
D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010108:Oxyhemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D055815:Young Adult
D006454:Hemoglobins; D010108:Oxyhemoglobins; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid