Omega-3s Increase Neuron Connections: Monkey Study
Omega-3 Supplements: More Neuronal Connections Thanks to Fish Oil
A diet rich in Omega-3 DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) promotes the development of a healthy brain. Macaques that consume high amounts of DHA have a cerebral cortex with many connections and an organization similar to the human brain, while those on a diet low in Omega-3 have a more limited neuronal network.
This was discovered by scientists at Oregon Health & Science University (USA). The study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, confirms the role of Omega-3s in proper brain development.
Omega-3s Influence Nervous System Development
DHA is the main component of neuronal cell membranes, providing the fluidity necessary for growth, connection with other cells, and faster transmission of nerve signals. This fatty acid, mainly found in fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel, plays a key role in brain and visual system development and in maintaining their functionality. Numerous studies suggest that reduced DHA concentration in the brain during fetal life leads to impaired neuronal development, neurocognitive deficits, and behavioral alterations. Research by one of the study’s co-authors, Martha Neuringer of the Oregon National Primate Research Center, demonstrated the importance of DHA in visual development of newborns.
DHA Promotes Brain Connections
The research team conducted the study on a group of macaques aged 17–19 years at the Oregon National Primate Research Center. Some animals were fed DHA-rich diets, while others followed a diet low in Omega-3. Using magnetic resonance imaging methods that visualize interactions between brain regions when a subject performs a task, the researchers observed brain organization and changes associated with DHA intake. Results showed that macaques on a DHA-rich diet had cerebral cortex organization—the outer layer of the brain hemispheres—similar to that of a healthy human. For example, connections and activity were evident between brain areas similar to those involved in attention and information processing in humans. Conversely, animals on a DHA-poor diet exhibited reduced connectivity in the visual system and impaired distributed cortical networks.
A Discovery Suggesting Many Further Studies
The finding reveals similarities between the organization of the cerebral cortex in humans and macaques within the context of a diet rich in Omega-3, supporting the hypothesis that these fatty acids are important for the development and maintenance of neuronal systems, including those essential for cognitive development. The next step will be to determine if monkeys with deficits in some connections exhibit behaviors comparable to humans affected by neurological disorders such as Attention Deficit Disorder and autism. Scientists intend to study macaques fed different diets from birth to understand how an Omega-3-rich diet influences early brain development stages and beyond.
Source: ”David S. Grayson, Christopher D. Kroenke, Martha Neuringer, and Damien A. Fair. ”Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acids Modulate Large-Scale Systems Organization in the Rhesus Macaque Brain”. The Journal of Neuroscience, 5 February 2014, 34(6): 2065-2074; doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3038-13.2014
