title: Omega-3 Supplementation and the Neural Correlates of Negative Affect and Impulsivity: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial in Midlife Adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In clinical trials, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation improves symptoms in psychiatric disorders involving dysregulated mood and impulse control, yet it is unclear whether in healthy adults, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation affects mood, impulse control, and the brain systems supporting these processes. Accordingly, this study tested the hypotheses that eciosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acid supplementation reduces negative affect and impulsive behaviors in healthy adults and that these changes correspond to alterations in corticolimbic and corticostriatal brain systems, which support affective and impulsive processes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Healthy volunteers (N = 272) consuming 300 mg/d or less of EPA and DHA were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial. The participants received either capsules providing 1000 mg of EPA and 400 mg of DHA versus identical appearing soybean oil capsules per day for 18 weeks. Negative affect and impulsivity were measured by questionnaire and ecological momentary assessment, as well as functional alterations in corticolimbic and corticostriatal brain systems evoked by standardized functional magnetic resonance imaging tasks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no group by time interactions for any questionnaire or ecological momentary assessment measures of mood and impulsivity. Likewise, no group by time interactions were observed for functional magnetic resonance imaging responses evoked within corticolimbic and corticostriatal systems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In healthy adults with low intake of omega-3 fatty acids, moderate-dose supplementation for 18 weeks did not alter affect or impulsive behaviors nor alter corticolimbic and corticostriatal brain functionality.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Trial number NCT00663871.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Psychology (Muldoon, Kuan, Schirda, Kamarck, Jennings, Manuck, Gianaros), University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience (Ginty), Baylor University, Waco, Texas; Heart and Vascular Institute, Department of Medicine (Muldoon), University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania; and Department of Psychiatry (Jennings), University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Annie T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Ginty
authors.forename: Matthew F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Muldoon
authors.forename: Dora C H
authors.initials: DCH
authors.lastname: Kuan
authors.forename: Brittney
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schirda
authors.forename: Thomas W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Kamarck
authors.forename: J Richard
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Jennings
authors.forename: Stephen B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Manuck
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Gianaros
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid