The effect of omega-3 on executive functions and event-related potentials: A randomized, controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Poor nutrition is a risk factor for brain. Prior findings suggest that nutritional intervention specifically omega-3 supplementation may help enhance brain structure and function. However, what is less known is by what brain and behavioural mechanisms for omega- 3 supplementation producing the neuropsychological improvement specifically the executive function. The present study aims to (1) investigate whether a nutritional intervention to adolescents can enhance their executive function; and (2) identify the neural correlate by which omega-3 supplementation enhances executive function in children and adolescents. Method: This study consisted of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized controlled trial of 193 children recruited from the primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong. Adolescents aged between 8 and 18 years old, residing in Hong Kong. Exclusion criteria consisted of: (1) allergy to fish or fish products, (2) use of fish oil supplementation in the past six months, (3) intellectual disability. Children and adolescents were randomly assigned to 3 groups: (1) child receiving omega-3 drinks (treatment group), (2) child receiving placebo drinks (placebo group), and (3) child receiving no drinks at all (control group). Assessments took place at 3 time-points: prior treatment, the end of treatment and post-treatment. Tower of London (ToL) and ERP adopting the Oddball paradigm was administered to children at all three time points. Written informed consent was obtained from the parents while assent will be obtained from adolescents. Results: Both ERP and behavioral results showed that the executive function of those in the treatment group had the best enhancement. Specifically, the initiation time measured by ToL and the right P3 novel/target correlates measured by ERP were enhanced in the treatment group. Conclusion: By taking bimodal methods to study the effect of omega- 3 supplementation on the executive function in children and adolescents, the findings of the present study suggest that the brain function of children and adolescents can be enhanced by adopting the nutritional supplementation of omega-3 at the community level. The present study therefore has clinical implications.