PRIMATE SCIENCE RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT
Jan. 14, 1999
"Fish oils have many neurological benefits"
(Article text reprinted with permission from the Oregon Regional Primate
Research Center)

Fish oils-what are they good for? Lots, according to a recent news program
of National Public Radio that featured the Center's Martha Neuringer, Ph.D.

Dr. Neuringer spoke about the importance of omega-3 fatty acids, which are
found in high concentrations in mothers' breast milk, for the development
of the eyesight and brain function in monkey and human infants.

Based on Dr. Neuringer's work, omega-3s were increased in infant formulas
several years ago. However, better forms of omega-3s, more like those in
breast milk, are now being tested. The Food and Drug Administration has not
yet approved the addition of these new sources to infant formulas in this
country. Dr. Neuringer explained that it is important to continue
evaluating the benefits and the safety of particular forms of omega-3 fatty
acid supplementation.

Other researchers working with human infants have established the role of
omega-3 fatty acids in infant brain development. From such research,
scientists went on to find that fish oil diet additives reduced the
incidence of schizophrenic and manic depressive episodes in adult
psychiatric patients.

Scientists think that there may be a link between the fact that depression
has been on a steady increase in the U.S. population during this century,
and the fact that at the same time the food sources of omega-3 fatty
acids-fish oil, canola oil and leafy green vegetables-have all but
disappeared from many peoples' meals. It may be that a deficit of these
fatty acids, which are stored in the membranes of neurons, interferes with
communication between brain cells.

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References:

Reisbick S., M. Neuringer , E. Gohl, R. Wald, and G.J. Anderson. 1997.
Visual attention in infant monkeys: Effects of dietary fatty acids and age.
Dev Psychol. May;33(3):387-95.

Neuringer M.  1996. Assessment of retinal function and vision in infants.
In:  Assessment of Infant Visual and Cognitive Function in Relation to Long
Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (S.E. Carlson, M. Neuringer, and S.
Reisbick).  Basel: Editiones Roche. pp. 19-48.

Neuringer M.  1999. Infant vision and retinal function in studies of
dietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids: Methods, results and
implications.  Am J Clin Nutr (in press).

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Primate-Science Research Highlights appears every other week and focuses
broadly on research involving non-human primates. Coverage includes
biomedicine, behavior, conservation and veterinary science. Please
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supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health,
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may be copied or redistributed without the consent of the editor.

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