Source: IOS Content Library
Date: 30 March 2016
Summary:
Memory loss in aging populations is a common phenomenon in aging populations, in some cases leading to serious conditions and diseases such in alzheimer's. Research has indicated that the beginning of such diseases and memory loss in aging individuals occurs far before their observable onset. Thus, taking steps to prevent such diseases is important in even for healthy aging individuals. This study looked to examine what (if any) effects long-chain omega-3 fatty acid supplementation had in helping this prevention. The test conducted was a double blind supplementation of either long chain n-3's or a placebo to 44 healthy adults aged 50-75. At beginning and end of the 26 week study, the researchers used the LOCATO tool (which is a "significant and robust" way to measure object-location memory) to test the cognitive performance of the test subjects. In addition, the team tested the participants using the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, aquired the participants' dietary information, and tested their omega-3 blood levels. At the end of the study, the group given the omega-3 supplements had far higher omega-3 blood levels than the placebo group, showing the supplements had been successfully digested and added to the body. This did not correlate to auditory learning, as neither group (placebo or supplemented) showed a significant advantage over the others in the Rey Auditory Verbal Test. However, more importantly, the omega-3 supplemented group showed significant improvements over the placebo group in object-location memory.
Thus, this study strongly indicates that omega-3 levels can improve a person's ability to retain and use object location memory as they age. Obviously there are more areas of memory than object-location, and it is unclear why this specific type of memory is affected by the presence of n-3's more than others.
Although the general idea of omega-3's being beneficial for memory retention is not a new concept, this study provides one of the most substantial pieces of evidence that exists to back up the claim.
Thus, this study strongly indicates that omega-3 levels can improve a person's ability to retain and use object location memory as they age. Obviously there are more areas of memory than object-location, and it is unclear why this specific type of memory is affected by the presence of n-3's more than others.
Although the general idea of omega-3's being beneficial for memory retention is not a new concept, this study provides one of the most substantial pieces of evidence that exists to back up the claim.
The onset of memory diseases such as Alzheimers can sometimes be detected even if there are no visible symptoms.
ReplyDeleteHow do omega-3s effect some areas of the brain and not others, and what exactly do they do?
Scientists believe that when an individual is experiencing early onset memory loss, their object-location memory is the first aspect of their memory to go
ReplyDeleteDo different aspects of memory require different regions of the brain?
In the test, those with omega-3 supplements only showed an advantage in the location test, not the verbal learning test.
ReplyDeleteAre there any molecular findings that support that omega-3s have a more predominant effect on certain areas of the brain?
Omega-3's had no effect on language skill in brain,but made object location memory much higher.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the difference that language was not affected, but object location memory was?
The object location memory test is the first to determine the memory loss of a person so it was used in a placebo test of supplemental omega 3's which proved that omega 3's significantly reduce memory loss in this category.
ReplyDeleteAre there only certain parts of the brain where omega 3's are effective or are they more beneficial to some parts than others?
Omega-3s help object-location memory.
ReplyDeleteHow are omega-3s helping one's ability to retain memory?
Researchers used the LOCATA tool and the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test to measure the cognitive level of the groups. The omega-3 group showed improvement in the object-location memory.
ReplyDeleteWhat does the LOCATA tool entail and how does it help to measure our object location memory?
Object location memory improved drastically for the omega-3 takers.
ReplyDeleteAre there any other aspects that need to be tested? Memory of different things.
Using the LOCATO tool to test memory, scientists hypothesize a correlation between omega-3 intake and an unequal affect on brain function.
ReplyDeleteWhat other areas of memory and cognitive function are studied, in addition to object location memory and auditory learning?