Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Sleep and Behavior (Pilot Study)

Pilot Study on the Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements on Sleep and Behavior of Mother-child Pairs

The aim of this feasibility study is to determine whether a nutritional intervention in children and their parents can improve their sleep quality and behavior. The study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel trial of omega-3 supplementation to children and their mothers.

Previous studies show omega-3 fatty acid supplements improve adolescent's antisocial behavior. However it is less known whether the same effect could be achieved in younger children. Furthermore it is not known whether omega-3 fatty acids could also improve parental behavior and parenting style which could further reduce behavioral problems in children. Moreover, we recently found that children who consume fish more frequently have less sleep problems but it is not known whether omega-3 supplements could also potentially improve children's sleep. We aim to test several hypotheses in this random controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acids. The study design will consist of a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial of children and their caregivers in a community sample in the city of Philadelphia. It will utilize a random parallel design, in which child and mother pairs will be randomly assigned to either omega-3 supplementation (treatment condition) or a placebo (control condition). This results in 2 groups: (1) child and caregiver both receiving omega-3 and (2) both parent and child receiving the placebo. Treatment will last 45 days. Assessments will take place at 0 months (baseline), 45 days (end of supplementation) and 90 days (45 days after the end of treatment).

Both the mother and child will receive omega-3 supplements in the form of a 200 mL drink to be taken once daily. The intervention will last 45 days. Assessments will take place at 0 months (baseline), 45 days (end of treatment), and 3 months (1 and a half months post-treatment).

The mother and child will both receive a placebo drink to take daily, with no known effect on the brain. The intervention will last 45 days. Assessments will take place at 0 months (baseline), 45 days (end of treatment), and 3 months (1 and a half months post-treatment).

200 ml drink. The drink contains 840 mg total of omega-3 (360 mg of DHA, 240 mg of EPA, 200 mg of alpha-linolenic acid, and 40 mg of DPA).

For parent sleep patterns, we will use the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to evaluate changes. For children's sleep, we will use the Child Sleep Habits questionnaire.

Inclusion Criteria: child between ages 5-9 with mother available to participate in intervention study Exclusion Criteria: intellectual disability significant psychiatric and physical illness extensive use of nutritional supplements within the past three months seafood allergy diabetes

Raine A, Portnoy J, Liu J, Mahoomed T, Hibbeln JR. Reduction in behavior problems with omega-3 supplementation in children aged 8-16 years: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, stratified, parallel-group trial. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2015 May;56(5):509-20. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.12314. Epub 2014 Aug 22.

Liu J, Cui Y, Li L, Wu L, Hanlon A, Pinto-Martin J, Raine A, Hibbeln JR. The mediating role of sleep in the fish consumption - cognitive functioning relationship: a cohort study. Sci Rep. 2017 Dec 21;7(1):17961. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-17520-w.