The Relationship of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) with Learning and Behavior in Healthy Children: A Review

Connye Kuratko,Norman Salem,Erin Barrett,Edward Nelson

doi:10.3390/nu5072777

Abstract

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.

Highlights

The period from birth to 2 years of age is considered the primary growth phase for the human brain when measured in terms of brain weight
Fifteen articles conducted in healthy children ages 4–14 years met the full criteria for inclusion in this review
The studies included in this review generally indicate that improvements in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) status may initiate brain changes which are observable in activities of learning and behavior

Summary

Introduction

The period from birth to 2 years of age is considered the primary growth phase for the human brain when measured in terms of brain weight. Certain areas of the brain are not fully developed by the age of two, and development as well as growth continues throughout childhood and adolescence [1]. Myelination of brain frontal lobes begins as early as 6 months of age and continues throughout childhood and adolescence with spurts of development identified at 2 years of age, 7–9 years of age, and during mid-adolescence [1]. DHA-rich frontal lobes are thought to be responsible for executive and higher-order cognitive activities such as planning, problem solving, and focused attention [2]. Investigators report an association of these prefrontal cortex structures with the limbic system, where the development of high-level cognitive function correspond to a child‘s social, emotional and behavioral development [3,4]

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