BrainworX Health Tips

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may be important for brain activity involved with cognitive functions in healthy boys, investigators found in a new clinical trial. Previous research indicated that DHA is important for the development of cognitive function in the brain.

This study analyzed the effects of DHA supplementation on brain activity. In this study, 33 healthy boys, whose ages ranged from 8-10 years old, were supplemented with 400 mg per day, 1200mg per day of DHA or a placebo for 8 weeks. Brain activity was evaluated using fMRI at the beginning of the study and again after 8 weeks of supplementation. The subjects were also evaluated for DHA levels, which were measured in the red blood cells (erythrocytes) at the beginning of the study and again after 8 weeks.

The results showed that the red blood cell DHA levels were higher in the boys supplemented with DHA compared to the placebo group. The boys that received the higher dose of DHA experienced an increase of 70% in erythrocyte DHA, while the boys who received the lower dose of DHA experienced a 47% increase and the placebo group had an 11% reduction in levels of DHA in their red blood cells.

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The data also showed that during activities requiring sustained attention, the boys that received DHA showed significantly greated changes in activation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (the area of the brain involved in working memory), compared to the placebo group. The groups receiving DHA also showed a greater decrease in activation of the occipital cortex and cerebellar cortex, areas of the brain involved in visual activity and motor control.

The study authors stated, “Dietary DHA intake and associated elevations in erythrocyte DHA composition are associated with alteration in functional activity in cortical attention networks during sustained attention in healthy boys”

For more information on how to help your child with attention/focus & working memory problems, please contact the office of Dr. Homero Cavazos to see if BrainworX can help. 214-377-4833

Reference:
McNamary RK, Able J, Jandacek R, Rider T, Tso P, Eliassen JC, Alfieri D, Weber W,Jarvis K, Delbello MP, Strakowski SM, Alder CM. Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation increases prefrontal cortex activation during sustained attention in healthy boys: a placebo, dose-ranging, functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Am J Clin Nutr. 1020 Feb 3.