TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploratory study into the relation between plasma phospholipid fatty acid status and cognitive performance
AU - de Groot, R.H.M.
AU - Hornstra, G.
AU - Jolles, J.
PY - 2007/1/1
Y1 - 2007/1/1
N2 - Previous research found a negative association between DHA status and selective attention in pregnant women. Goal of the present exploratory study is to investigate the potential relationship between essential fatty acid status and cognitive performance in a healthy non-pregnant population. Cognitive performance of 54 non-pregnant women was determined at baseline, 3, 15, and 22 weeks later with an objective neurocognitive test battery covering different brain domains. Plasma phospholipid fatty acid status was determined at baseline and at 22 weeks. The fatty acids of primary interest (arachidonic acid, adrenic acid, Osbond acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid) were no significant predictors of cognitive performance at baseline or 22 weeks later. However, they attributed significantly (26.3%) to the amount of explained variance of the learning effect on the Stroop task, measuring general speed of information processing. Higher docosahexaenoic acid levels were associated with a slower learning curve. For arachidonic acid the opposite was found. In conclusion, this study provides a preliminary indication that a higher DHA status might be associated with slower learning curves. However, additional studies are necessary.
AB - Previous research found a negative association between DHA status and selective attention in pregnant women. Goal of the present exploratory study is to investigate the potential relationship between essential fatty acid status and cognitive performance in a healthy non-pregnant population. Cognitive performance of 54 non-pregnant women was determined at baseline, 3, 15, and 22 weeks later with an objective neurocognitive test battery covering different brain domains. Plasma phospholipid fatty acid status was determined at baseline and at 22 weeks. The fatty acids of primary interest (arachidonic acid, adrenic acid, Osbond acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid) were no significant predictors of cognitive performance at baseline or 22 weeks later. However, they attributed significantly (26.3%) to the amount of explained variance of the learning effect on the Stroop task, measuring general speed of information processing. Higher docosahexaenoic acid levels were associated with a slower learning curve. For arachidonic acid the opposite was found. In conclusion, this study provides a preliminary indication that a higher DHA status might be associated with slower learning curves. However, additional studies are necessary.
U2 - 10.1016/j.plefa.2007.01.001
DO - 10.1016/j.plefa.2007.01.001
M3 - Article
C2 - 17317131
SN - 0952-3278
VL - 76
SP - 165
EP - 172
JO - Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids
JF - Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids
IS - 3
ER -