Cognitive and physiological effects of Omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in healthy subjects

Fontani, Giuliano; Corradeschi, F.; Felici, Andrea; Alfatti, F.; Migliorini, Silvia; Lodi, Leda

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2362.2005.01570.x

Cited by 244 publications

(213 citation statements)

References 57 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

193

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…DHA + EPA low = Q1. The asterisk indicates p ≤ 0.05 synaptogenesis, and are involved in synaptic transmission (Fontani et al 2005). Low plasma omega-3 PUFAs levels were associated with accelerated decline of peripheral nerve function with aging (Lauretani et al 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Omega-3 fatty acid levels in red blood cell membranes and physical decline over 3 years: longitudinal data from the MAPT study

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Studies have shown that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are associated with brain, cardiovascular, and immune function, as well as physical performance and bone health in older adults. So far, few studies have investigated the associations between PUFA status and performancebased tests of physical function. The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between the omega-3 PUFA levels (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) in red blood cell (RBC) membranes and physical performance, in a sample of community-dwelling older adults. This is a longitudinal observational study using data from the Multidomain Alzheimer's Disease Trial (MAPT), a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Four hundred participants from MAPT placebo group with available PUFA data were included. Omega-3 PUFA levels in RBC membranes were measured at baseline, and their percentage of total RBC membrane fatty acid content was calculated. We dichotomized the standardized omega-3 PUFA levels in RBC membranes as low (lowest quartile) vs. high (three upper quartiles). Gait speed (in m/s) and short physical performance battery (SPPB) score (range from 0 to 12, higher is better) were used to assess physical performance at baseline and after 6, 12, 24, and 36 months. Participants were 75.2 (± 4.3) years old and 68% were female. Bivariate analyses found that the characteristic of the participants in the lowest quartile of omega-3 PUFA levels (Q1) and those in the three upper quartiles (Q2-Q4) was not different at baseline; only those in Q1 were slightly older. In an unadjusted model, the difference in gait speed after 3 years of follow-up was significant (− 0.09 ± 0.03 m/s; p = 0.008) between participants in Q1 and those in Q2-Q4. In a model adjusted for age, gender, educational level, cognitive function, depressive status, body mass index, physical activity, grip strength, and their time interaction, this difference remained clinically relevant (− 0.07 ± 0.04 m/s; p = 0.075). No difference between the two groups was found for the SPPB score development over 3 years. Older adults with subjective memory complaints and in the lower quartile of omega-3 have a faster decline on gait speed compared to people in the three upper quartiles. Other longitudinal studies are needed to explore this association and to examine mechanisms.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Omega-3 fatty acid levels in red blood cell membranes and physical decline over 3 years: longitudinal data from the MAPT study

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This would support the idea that single factor results are consistent with the overall data. n-3 FA can modulate many of the signal transduction mechanisms operating at the synaptic level, influence pathways with different neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine or acetylcholine, and possibly be responsible for some of the reported effects (31,32) . On a practical level, maybe students or young professionals in social studies, mathematics, sciences or other fields that involve a great deal of critical thinking or decision-making could possibly benefit and gain a slight advantage through regular consumption of walnuts.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of walnut consumption on cognitive performance in young adults

et al. 2011

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Walnuts contain a number of potentially neuroprotective compounds like vitamin E, folate, melatonin, several antioxidative polyphenols and significant amounts of n-3 a-linolenic fatty acid. The present study sought to determine the effect of walnuts on verbal and non-verbal reasoning, memory and mood. A total of sixty-four college students were randomly assigned to two treatment sequences in a crossover fashion: walnuts -placebo or placebo -walnuts. Baseline data were collected for non-verbal reasoning, verbal reasoning, memory and mood states. Data were collected again after 8 weeks of intervention. After 6 weeks of washout, the intervention groups followed the diets in reverse order. Data were collected once more at the end of the 8-week intervention period. No significant increases were detected for mood, non-verbal reasoning or memory on the walnut-supplemented diet. However, inferential verbal reasoning increased significantly by 11·2 %, indicating a medium effect size (P¼ 0·009; d ¼ 0·567). In young, healthy, normal adults, walnuts do not appear to improve memory, mood or non-verbal reasoning abilities. However, walnuts may have the ability to increase inferential reasoning.

show abstract

“…By contrast, a separate meta-analysis by the APA's reviewers of four trials involving schizophrenia patients showed no overall benefits for psychotic symptoms, although it was noted that an increased intake of n-3 fatty acids might help to combat the increased risks of CVD, diabetes and other physical health problems associated with this illness, which are exacerbated by some antipsychotic medications. Some benefits for mood, impulsivity, stress-aggression and other aspects of behaviour or cognition have also been reported in psychiatrically normal populations 8,9 , children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and related conditions 10 , and patients with mild dementia 11 , although findings in these areas remain preliminary or mixed, and most studies have been small. This new study by Rogers and colleagues 4 set out to investigate whether n-3 fatty acid supplementation could improve mental health in a sample more representative of the general population.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

n-3 Fatty acids and mood: the devil is in the detail

Richardson¹

2008

Br J Nutr

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Increasing evidence suggests that a low dietary intake of the n-3 long-chain PUFA EPA and DHA may contribute not only to the risks for various physical illnesses (particularly cardiovascular and immune system disorders), but also to many disorders of mental health and performance1,2. From their recent comprehensive review of the evidence for these n-3 fatty acids in the prevention and treatment of psychiatric disorders3, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) made the following recommendations:

show abstract

Cognitive and physiological effects of Omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in healthy subjects

Abstract: Omega-3 supplementation is associated with an improvement of attentional and physiological functions, particularly those involving complex cortical processing. These findings are discussed in terms of the influence of Omega-3 on the central nervous system.

Cited by 244 publications

References 57 publications

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Omega-3 fatty acid levels in red blood cell membranes and physical decline over 3 years: longitudinal data from the MAPT study

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Omega-3 fatty acid levels in red blood cell membranes and physical decline over 3 years: longitudinal data from the MAPT study

Effects of walnut consumption on cognitive performance in young adults

n-3 Fatty acids and mood: the devil is in the detail

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About