The brain is primarily developed in the third trimester of pregnancy, but continues maturing through the late twenties, especially the prefrontal cortex. Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) are important structural components of neural cell membranes, influence membrane fluidity and signal transduction, and thus learning, cognition and behaviour. Levels of omega-3 LCPUFA have been found to be low in individuals with limitations in these complex brain functions. Previous studies suggested that such functions could be improved by increasing LCPUFA. The adolescent brain, however, has been largely neglected. This study investigates the effect of one-year daily omega-3 LCPUFA supplementation, in particular krill oil, in healthy 14-15 year old adolescents in lower general secondary education (MAVO/VMBO) on learning, cognition, and behaviour. The majority of the omega-3 PUFA in krill oil is incorporated into phospholipids, favouring tissue uptake of its omega-3 PUFA. In a double blind, randomised controlled trial, 300 adolescents preselected from a population of 700 adolescents with low omega-3 index (\<5%) will receive daily omega-3 LCPUFA supplementation or matching placebo. The omega-3 LCPUFA dose will be adjusted individually to reach a target level of 8-11%. The effects on learning (academic achievement, objective cognitive performance), behaviour (mood, self-esteem, motivation, goal-orientation, absenteeism), and in a subsample cognitive processes, in particular perceptual processes measured by eye-tracking will be evaluated after 6, 12, and 24 months. This study will yield important insights in the effects of omega-3 LCPUFA supplementation, a safe intervention, on a large variety of complex brain functions.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
266
1 year supplementation with Krill oil provided by Aker BioMarine Antarctic AS equalling almost the daily recommended amount of 450 mg of EPA/DHA intake per day.
Capsules containing a fatty acid mixture that reflects the fatty acid composition of the average European diet.
Canisius College
Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands
MAVO Roermond
Roermond, Limburg, Netherlands
De Nassau
Breda, North Brabant, Netherlands
Graaf Engelbrecht
Breda, North Brabant, Netherlands
Newman College
Breda, North Brabant, Netherlands
Dr.Knippenberg College
Helmond, North Brabant, Netherlands
Stabrecht College
Geldrop, Netherlands
Graaf Huyn College
Geleen, Netherlands
Scholengemeenschap Sophianum
Gulpen, Netherlands
Citaverde
Heerlen, Netherlands
...and 7 more locations
Cognitive performance
Neuropsychological tests covering seceral executive functions (LDST, D2, CST, Stroop, Digit Span).
Time frame: 12 months
Eye tracking
Two types of eye tracking parameters will be calculated, namely basic parameters and paragraph-related parameters. Basic parameters are number of blinks, number of fixations, total duration of fixations, average fixation duration, average dispersion of fixation positions, average saccadic amplitude, and average saccadic velocity. Moreover, we will calculate eye tracking measures per paragraph, namely time spent on each paragraph (number and duration of fixations), time elapsed until first looking at a paragraph, and amount of times going back to a paragraph (revisits).
Time frame: 12 months
Academic achievement
Grade point average for Dutch, English and mathematics and standardized mathematics test scores (AMN).
Time frame: 12 months
Behaviour: absenteeism, motivation (MSLQ), Mood (CES-D), Self-esteem
Absenteeism, motivation (MSLQ), Mood (CES-D), Self-esteem
Time frame: 12 months
Sleep duration and sleep quality
Sleep duration measured using ActivPAL and diary, Sleep quality determined using the adolescent sleep wake scale (ASWS) and the adolescent sleep hygiene scale (ASHS).
Time frame: 12 months
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.