Effects of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)-Rich Fish Oil on Cerebral Haemodynamics

The Cognitive And Cerebral Hemodynamic Effects Of DHA-Rich Fish Oil: A Dose-Ranging Study

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT01075932

Enrollment

Registered

2010-02-25

Start date

2009-04-30

Completion date

2009-08-31

Last updated

2010-02-25

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cerebral Blood Flow, Cognitive Function

Keywords

cerebral blood flow, NIRS, n-3 PUFAs, fish oil, cognitive function

Brief summary

DHA has previously been shown to increase regional cerebral blood flow response to tactile stimulation in aged monkeys; modulation of cerebral blood flow in humans has yet to be demonstrated. Given that the brain relies on a constant supply of blood-borne metabolic substrates (e.g. glucose, oxygen), increasing regional cerebral blood flow may also have an impact on cognitive function. The current study aims to investigate the effects of two doses of DHA-rich fish oil on task-related cerebral hemodynamic response and cognitive performance in healthy adults.

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTDHA-rich fish oil

Either 1 g or 2 g DHA-rich fish oil taken daily for 12 weeks. Participants in the 1 g group will also consume 1 g olive oil placebo capsules per day to maintain double blind.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPlacebo

2 g placebo (olive oil) taken daily for 12 weeks

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 35 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Male/Female * 18-35 years * Healthy * No herbal supplements/prescription medications (excl. contraceptive pill) * Non smoker * Native English speaker

Exclusion criteria

* consumes oily fish * takes omega-3 supplement * food allergies to treatment ingredients

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Cerebral blood flow	12 weeks	Cerebral blood flow will be assessed using Near Infrared Spectroscopy while participants complete a series of cognitive tasks.

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Cognitive function	12 weeks	Cognitive function will be assessed using a series of tasks that evaluate working memory, attention and executive function.

Countries

United Kingdom

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026