title: The oil-rich alga Schizochytrium sp. as a dietary source of docosahexaenoic acid improves shape discrimination learning associated with visual processing in a canine model of senescence.
abstract: Whole cell Schizochytrium sp. is a rich source of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an important nutrient for brain health. Aged beagle dogs experienced on a visuospatial task of working memory, variable-delay delayed-non-matching-to-position were used to assess efficacy of DHA-rich microalgae based upon DHA wt% of total phospholipids and 8-iso-PGF2αconcentrations in plasma, and performance on cognitive assessments of visual object discrimination, learning, and memory consolidation after 25 weeks on fortified diet. Improved DHA status (p<0.001) and initial learning of the protocols for visual and variable contrast discrimination (p<0.05), but not long-term recall of the concurrent discrimination task were observed in animals fed the algal-fortified diet. Overall, results were consistent with dried Schizochytrium sp. as a source of n-3 LCPUFA nutrition to support DHA status in large mammals, and healthy brain function in a canine model of senescence.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Department, DSM Nutritional Products, Columbia, MD 21045, USA. Electronic address: kevin.hadley@dsm.com.
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Hadley
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Department, DSM Nutritional Products, Columbia, MD 21045, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Department, DSM Nutritional Products, Columbia, MD 21045, USA.
authors.forename: N W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Milgram
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D004193:Discrimination Learning; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004285:Dogs; D006801:Humans; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood; D058009:Stramenopiles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D010743:Phospholipids; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; C075750:8-epi-prostaglandin F2alpha; D015237:Dinoprost
keywords: Aging; Algae; Cognitive function; Contrast sensitivity; Docosahexaenoic acid; Memory; Omega-3; Schizochytrium; Senescence; Shape recognition; Variable contrast; Visual processing