title: The relationship of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) with learning and behavior in healthy children: a review.
abstract: Childhood is a period of brain growth and maturation. The long chain omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is a major lipid in the brain recognized as essential for normal brain function. In animals, low brain DHA results in impaired learning and behavior. In infants, DHA is important for optimal visual and cognitive development. The usual intake of DHA among toddlers and children is low and some studies show improvements in cognition and behavior as the result of supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids including DHA. The purpose of this review was to identify and evaluate current knowledge regarding the relationship of DHA with measures of learning and behavior in healthy school-age children. A systematic search of the literature identified 15 relevant publications for review. The search found studies which were diverse in purpose and design and without consistent conclusions regarding the treatment effect of DHA intake or biomarker status on specific cognitive tests. However, studies of brain activity reported benefits of DHA supplementation and over half of the studies reported a favorable role for DHA or long chain omega-3 fatty acids in at least one area of cognition or behavior. Studies also suggested an important role for DHA in school performance.
authors.affiliation: DSM Nutritional Products, 6480 Dobbin Road Columbia, MD 21045, USA. connye.kuratko@dsm.com.
authors.forename: Connye N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Kuratko
authors.forename: Erin Cernkovich
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: Edward B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Norman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Salem
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D064887:Observational Studies as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids