The relationship of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) with learning and behavior in healthy children: a review

Childhood is a period of brain growth and maturation. The long chain omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is a major lipid in the brain recognized as essential for normal brain function. In animals, low brain DHA results in impaired learning and behavior. In infants, DHA is important for...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nutrients 2013-07, Vol.5 (7), p.2777-2810
Main Authors: Kuratko, Connye N, Barrett, Erin Cernkovich, Nelson, Edward B, Salem, Jr, Norman
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Animals
behavior
Brain - drug effects
Brain - growth & development
Child
Child Development - drug effects
Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Child, Preschool
children
Cognition - drug effects
Dietary Supplements
docosahexaenoic acid
Docosahexaenoic Acids - administration & dosage
Humans
learning
Learning - drug effects
Observational Studies as Topic
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Review
school performance
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Summary:Childhood is a period of brain growth and maturation. The long chain omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is a major lipid in the brain recognized as essential for normal brain function. In animals, low brain DHA results in impaired learning and behavior. In infants, DHA is important for optimal visual and cognitive development. The usual intake of DHA among toddlers and children is low and some studies show improvements in cognition and behavior as the result of supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids including DHA. The purpose of this review was to identify and evaluate current knowledge regarding the relationship of DHA with measures of learning and behavior in healthy school-age children. A systematic search of the literature identified 15 relevant publications for review. The search found studies which were diverse in purpose and design and without consistent conclusions regarding the treatment effect of DHA intake or biomarker status on specific cognitive tests. However, studies of brain activity reported benefits of DHA supplementation and over half of the studies reported a favorable role for DHA or long chain omega-3 fatty acids in at least one area of cognition or behavior. Studies also suggested an important role for DHA in school performance.
ISSN:2072-6643
2072-6643
DOI:10.3390/nu5072777