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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2013-07-01
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doaj-70371c64142b49239cac38f51e9d9fef2020-11-25T01:37:58ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432013-07-01572777281010.3390/nu5072777The Relationship of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) with Learning and Behavior in Healthy Children: A ReviewNorman SalemEdward B. NelsonErin Cernkovich BarrettConnye N. KuratkoChildhood 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.http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/5/7/2777docosahexaenoic acidchildrenlearningbehaviorschool performance |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Norman Salem Edward B. Nelson Erin Cernkovich Barrett Connye N. Kuratko |
spellingShingle |
Norman Salem Edward B. Nelson Erin Cernkovich Barrett Connye N. Kuratko The Relationship of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) with Learning and Behavior in Healthy Children: A Review Nutrients docosahexaenoic acid children learning behavior school performance |
author_facet |
Norman Salem Edward B. Nelson Erin Cernkovich Barrett Connye N. Kuratko |
author_sort |
Norman Salem |
title |
The Relationship of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) with Learning and Behavior in Healthy Children: A Review |
title_short |
The Relationship of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) with Learning and Behavior in Healthy Children: A Review |
title_full |
The Relationship of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) with Learning and Behavior in Healthy Children: A Review |
title_fullStr |
The Relationship of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) with Learning and Behavior in Healthy Children: A Review |
title_full_unstemmed |
The Relationship of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) with Learning and Behavior in Healthy Children: A Review |
title_sort |
relationship of docosahexaenoic acid (dha) with learning and behavior in healthy children: a review |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Nutrients |
issn |
2072-6643 |
publishDate |
2013-07-01 |
description |
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. |
topic |
docosahexaenoic acid children learning behavior school performance |
url |
http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/5/7/2777 |
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