Healthy Living
DHA and Memory
By David Perlmutter, MD, FACN
A certain type of brain wave called "p300" is linked to memory and learning. The faster the rate of transmission, the more efficiently the brain is functioning. The rate declines with age, and is slower in people with dementia. To demonstrate if Omega-3 fatty acids influence this brain function, researchers took 26 normal adult volunteers hooked them up to electrodes and gave them a test that determined their p300 rate. Immediately after taking the test, they were given supplements of either EPA or DHA (both are derivatives of Omega-3 from fish). Two hours later, their brain waves were measured, and this time the p300 rate was significantly faster in the group given the DHA supplements, supporting their hypothesis that DHA might enhance mental abilities in adults as well.
Reference:
Myanaga, K., K. Yonemura, and K. Yazawa. DHA shortens P300 latency
in healthy persons. In International Conference on Highly Unsaturated
Fatty Acids in Nutrition and Disease Prevention. 1996 Barcelona, Spain.