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Influence of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on infant cognitive function
P Willatts1, J S Forsyth, M K DiModugno
1Department of Psychology, University of Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom. p.willatts@dundee.ac.uk
Insights
Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) supplementation may enhance cognitive development in term infants with impaired attention. This LCPUFA benefit was particularly noted in problem-solving abilities at 9 months of age.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) are crucial for infant visual and cortical development.
- Previous research suggested LCPUFA benefits cognitive function in term infants with specific birth parameters and attention deficits.
- Impaired attention, indicated by late peak fixation, was a focus for potential LCPUFA intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between LCPUFA supplementation, attention control (late peak fixation), and means-end problem-solving ability in term infants at 9 months of age.
- To determine if LCPUFA supplementation mitigates cognitive deficits in infants with impaired attention.
- To assess the impact of LCPUFA on problem-solving skills in relation to birth growth parameters and attention control.
Main Methods:
- A prospective randomized study involving 58 term infants fed either LCPUFA-containing or standard formula for 4 months.
- Cognitive function was assessed at 3 months using infant habituation measures, identifying infants with early vs. late peak fixation.
- Problem-solving ability was evaluated at 9 months in a subset of infants (20 LCPUFA, 20 no-LCPUFA).
Main Results:
- Infants receiving no LCPUFA and exhibiting late peak fixation showed significantly reduced problem-solving scores (number of solutions, P<0.02) and a trend towards reduced intention scores (P<0.06).
- LCPUFA supplementation normalized the problem-solving and intention scores in late peak-fixation infants, making them comparable to early peak-fixation infants.
- No significant differences in intention or solution scores were found between the LCPUFA and no-LCPUFA groups overall, highlighting the specific benefit in the late peak-fixation subgroup.
Conclusions:
- LCPUFA supplementation appears to enhance information processing and problem-solving abilities in term infants born with reduced growth parameters and impaired attention control.
- The findings support the hypothesis that LCPUFA plays a vital role in cognitive development, particularly for vulnerable infant populations.
- Targeted LCPUFA intervention may be beneficial for improving cognitive outcomes in infants identified with attention deficits early in life.
Abstract:
Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) are important for normal visual and cortical development. In a previous study of the effects of LCPUFA on cognitive function of term infants at the age of 3 mon, we indicated that infants with evidence of reduced growth parameters at birth and impaired attention control as manifested by a late peak fixation during infant habituation assessment may benefit from LCPUFA supplementation. The aim of this prospective study was to determine whether LCPUFA supplementation and late peak fixation are related to means-end problem-solving ability in these same infants at the age of 9 mon. Term infants (58) were randomized to one of two formulas containing either LCPUFA or no LCPUFA and completed 4 mon of feeding with their formula. Cognitive function was assessed at 3 mon of age by measures of infant habituation. Infants (20 LCPUFA and 20 no-LCPUFA) completed the problem-solving assessment at 9 mon. The no-LCPUFA group had lower scores on both measures of intention and number of solutions, but neither of these differences was significant. Analysis of covariance for the effects of group and peak fixation, covaried with gestation and birth weight, showed that the number of solutions was significantly reduced in the late peak-fixation infants receiving no LCPUFA (P<0.02). Intention scores tended to be reduced in this group (P<0.06). The late peak-fixation infants who received LCPUFA had solution and intention scores similar to early peak-fixation infants receiving LCPUFA or no LCPUFA. These findings suggest that in term infants who have reduced growth parameters at birth and who show evidence of impaired attention control, information processing and problem-solving ability in infancy may be enhanced by LCPUFA supplementation.