Extrait

Background and study aims UK children's diets are low in the long-chain omega-3 fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), essential for mental and physical health. Small trials involving children with conditions like Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia or other behaviour and/or learning difficulties have indicated that increased intakes of long-chain omega-3 (found naturally in fish, seafood and some algae) can improve their behaviour and learning, raising the possibility that similar benefits might extend to children from the general school population. A trial involving children aged 7-9 years from mainstream schools (known as the DHA Oxford Learning and Behaviour (DOLAB) study) was recently completed by this research team at Oxford University. Results showed that dietary supplementation with 600mg/day of DHA for 16 weeks led to significant benefits for reading progress in poorer readers when compared with a placebo (dummy), with no negative side-effects. Significant improvements were also reported by parents in the children's behaviour (attention, concentration and hyperactivity-impulsivity). Additional findings revealed that blood concentrations of DHA in these healthy children were low by comparison with recommendations for general health in adults, and were also directly related to their performance in reading, working memory and behaviour. This new study is designed to see if these results can be replicated. If so, the implications would be profound since there is an urgent need for safe, effective ways to help children with learning and behaviour problems, which create substantial costs for society as well as for the individuals concerned. Who can participate? Children aged 7-9 years will be recruited from mainstream schools in counties proximate to Oxfordshire, UK. We will specifically focus on those pupils who fall within the lowest 20th centile on age-standardised tests of reading achievement. What does the study involve? Children aged 7 to 9 years (initially screened via data on literacy attainments held by Local Authorities and schools) will be invited to participate in a short school-based session, involving brief assessments of reading and working memory, an optional pinprick blood sample, and child behaviour ratings from their teachers and parents. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? Increased intakes of DHA should result in improvements in participants reading and behaviour. We are happy to report that as expected, no serious adverse events were reported from the recent DOLAB study using the same supplement, nor were there any unfavourable side-effects. Given this experience risks for participants are thought to be minimal. Where is the study run from? The study will be undertaken by researchers from the Centre for Evidence Based Intervention at University of Oxford, UK. When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? The study started in January 2013 and expected to be finished in August 2015. Who is funding the study? DSM Nutritional Products (USA). Who is the main contact? Mrs Jenny Burton [email protected]

Critère d'inclusion

• Learning and Behaviour in Children

Liens

• isrctn
• ictrp