Omega‐3 fatty acids and cognitive performance throughout the lifespan (629.3)

Abstract

Omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFAs) may influence cognition throughout the lifespan. The neural influences of n‐3 PUFAs have been extensively studied in relation to psychological and neurological disorders, primarily depression. Despite the benefits of n‐3 PUFAs when brain functions go awry, as in psychological and neurological disorders, less research has examined the influence of n‐3 PUFAs on cognitive function in healthy individuals. Recent research has begun to fill this gap, by examining how n‐3 PUFA supplementation influences cognitive development in infants and children, cognitive performance in young adults, and age‐related cognitive impairment in older adults. Just as the brain changes throughout the lifespan, so too may nutritional influences on cognition. Thus, I will discuss recent research into the cognitive effects of n‐3 intake and physiological markers across the lifespan, focusing on infants, children, young adults and older adults. The majority of research into cognitive effects of n‐3 PUFA supplementation has occurred at either end of the lifespan: in infants and older adults and only a handful of studies have assessed the cognitive effects of n‐3 PUFA supplementation in young adults. Thus I will also discuss recent research in our lab examining the effects of n‐3 PUFA supplementation on stress‐induced changes in mood and cognitive behavior in young, healthy individuals.