Cognitive and Mood Effects of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)-Rich and Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)-Rich Fish Oil in Healthy Young Adults

February 24, 2010 updated by: Northumbria University

Cognitive and Mood Effects of DHA-rich and EPA-rich Fish Oil in Healthy Young Adults

To date, only a small handful of studies have assessed the effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) on cognitive function in healthy adults. The results from these studies are mixed, and have differed greatly in terms of methodology as regards sample size, treatment formulation and duration of the intervention. In order to address these issues, the present study aims to assess the effects of two different formulations of fish oil in parallel, and at doses consistent with the current recommended daily intake of oily fish, across a range of cognitive domains. The aim of the present investigation is therefore to specifically evaluate the effects of 12 weeks supplementation of DHA-rich fish oil and EPA-rich fish oil dietary supplements on cognitive function in healthy young adults maintaining a regular diet containing oily fish not more than once a week. Self-report mood assessments will form the secondary part of this investigation.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

159

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United Kingdom
    • Tyne and Wear
      • Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom, NE1 8ST
        • Northumbria University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 35 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Male/Female
  • 18-35 years
  • Healthy
  • No herbal supplements/prescription medications (excl. contraceptive pill)
  • Non smoker
  • Native English speaker

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Consumes ≥ 1 portion oily fish/week
  • takes omega-3 supplement
  • Food allergies to treatment ingredients

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Basic Science
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: DHA-rich fish oil
1 g DHA-rich fish oil containing 450 mg DHA + 90 mg EPA
Dietary supplement: n-3 PUFAs
1 g DHA-rich fish oil taken daily for 12 weeks
Dietary supplement: n-3 PUFAs
1 g EPA-rich fish oil taken daily for 12 weeks
Active Comparator: EPA-rich fish oil
1 g EPA-rich fish oil containing 300 mg EPA + 200 mg DHA
Dietary supplement: n-3 PUFAs
1 g DHA-rich fish oil taken daily for 12 weeks
Dietary supplement: n-3 PUFAs
1 g EPA-rich fish oil taken daily for 12 weeks
Placebo Comparator: Placebo
1 g Olive oil
Dietary supplement: Placebo
1 g olive oil taken daily for 12 weeks

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Cognitive performance
Time Frame: 12 weeks
Performance is assessed using the COMPASS (Computerised Mental Performance Assessment) system, which presents a battery of standard cognitive tasks assessing aspects of attention, memory and executive function. The Cognitive Demand Battery (30 minutes)will also be administered and assesses cognitive performance under mental fatigue.
12 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Mood
Time Frame: 12 weeks
Mood will be evaluated using Bond-Lader VAS and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales.
12 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Northumbria University

Collaborators

Ginsana SA

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

December 1, 2007

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 1, 2008

Study Completion (Actual)

December 1, 2008

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 24, 2010

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 24, 2010

First Posted (Estimate)

February 25, 2010

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

February 25, 2010

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 24, 2010

Last Verified

February 1, 2010

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 16N1

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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