Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids are available primarily via consumption of fish and are known to serve manyimportant roles in cell function and body homeostasis. Furthermore, these micronutrients reducecardiovascular disease (CVD) events when supplemented in the diets of patients with pre-existing heartdisease. Given that Americans currently consume an average of only 120 mg of long-chain omega-3 fattyacids each day,the American Heart Association now recommends now recommends that all adults eat fish,particularly fatty fish, as least twice a week. As yet there is little direct evidence to support such an advisorysince it is not clear either whether or how increasing fish consumption in the diet of the general pubic willreduce the risk of heart disease. In separate research, a relative deficiency in the omega-3 fatty acids hasbeen associated with major depression, attention-deficit disorder and aggressive behavior in forensic samples.Once again, studies in healthy adults are lacking. Project 3 of this Program Project Grant application proposesto conduct two investigations, an observational study of 530 generally-healthy community volunteers 30-55year of age,and,in a subset reporting low consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, a placebo-controlledsupplementation experiment of 4 months duration. In both studies, markers of cardiovascular risk will bemeasured, as will psychological and behavioral characterises that have previously been linked to heart diseaseand omega-3 fatty acid availability. In addition, the observational study will include carotid ultrasound as ameasure of pre-clinical atherosclerosis and functional brain imaging of regions regulating affect/threat detectionand impulsivity/goal-directed behaviors. The research will test the hypotheses that high or raised EPA andDMA intake: 1) reduces CVD risk, 2) reduces depressive symptoms and antagonistic disposition, 3) reducesimpulsivity and aggression, and 4) is related to activation of neural structures involved in affect and goal-directed behaviors. Finally, the effects of variation in genes regulating fatty acid metabolism will be studied.Relevance: CVD remains a leading cause of death and disability, and the search for new preventativeinterventions remains a prioty. Increasing fish and fish oil consmption appears to reduce mortality in patientswith prexisiting heart disease and may have salutory effects on psychological health and well-being. Theproposed research will more clearly establish whether fish oil supplementation reduces heart disease riskfactors and is associated with other benefial effects on mood, antagonsitic disposition and impulsivity.
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