biomedical sciences research institute - Research - University of Ulster

were examined. The intervention and analyses stages of this project has been completed and to date there have beena significant number of publications associated with. It involved collaboration with CeNeS Ltd who were responsiblefor the expertise and equipment necessary for carrying out the computerised tests of cognitive function and for thecollection and collation of the resulting data. CeNeS Ltd is the sole supplier of the Cambridge NeuropsychologicalTest Automated Battery (CANTAB) which is a computerised battery of tests for neuropsychological evaluation.Dr O’Connor is also involved in the Northern Ireland Fish Oil Study (NIFOS) which is examining the impact of fish oilsupplementation on psychological health of older adults. It is hypothesised that marine (fish oil) n-3 polyunsaturatedfatty acids (n-3 PUFA) will modulate the immune system leading to changes in vascular blood flow to brain andthereby affecting cognitive function. There is a growing body of evidence that demonstrates that the long chain n-3PUFA, DHA is essential for cognitive development in animals and infants and children. However, to date surprisinglylittle work has been done to examine the effects of n-3 PUFA on cognitive decline in humans. The little that hasbeen reported is mainly observational work. It is proposed that the 55-70 years age group, an age group thatshows a marked increase in mild cognitive impairment, may benefit greatly from supplementation. We are currentlycarrying out a long-term (6 months) intervention study in older adults, supplementing with fish oil to investigatethe impact on psychological function. Seven Seas Ltd have kindly supplied fish oil supplements for this study whichis in collaboration with the School of Psychology at Ulster. An extension of this study is also investigating attitudestowards the use of fish oil supplements, comparing the attitudes and perceived knowledge of consumers and nonconsumers.To date there is virtually no literature on this topic, so it is hoped that this original work will identifypotential factors which might inform the decision to either supplement with fish oil or to choose not to take suchsupplements. This information is likely to be of benefit in relation to health promotion, in encouraging consumptionof fish oil supplements, or to the supplement production industry.Publications:Hininger-Favier I, Andriollo-Sanchez M, Arnaud J, Meunier N, Bord S, Graham C, Polito A, Maiani G, O'Connor JM,Coudray C, Roussel AM; Age- and sex-dependent effects of long-term zinc supplementation on essential trace elementstatus and lipid metabolism in European subjects: the Zenith Study; British Journal of Nutrition, 97: 569-578, 2007Hodkinson CF, Kelly M, Alexander HD, Bradbury I, Robson PJ, Bonham MP, O’Connor JM, Coudray C, Strain JJ andWallace JM; Effect of Zinc Supplementation on the Immune Status of Healthy Older Individuals Aged 55–70 Years: theZENITH Study; Journal of Gerontology A Biol Sci Med Sci; 62: 598-608, 2007Intorre F, Polito A, Andriollo-Sanchez M, Azzini E, Raguzzini A, Toti E, Zaccaria M, Catasta G, Meunier N, Ducros V,O'Connor JM, Coudray C, Roussel AM, Maiani G; Effect of zinc supplementation on vitamin status of middle-aged andolder European adults: the ZENITH study; European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2007Simpson EE, McConville C, Rae G, O'Connor JM, Stewart-Knox BJ, Coudray C, Strain JJ; Salivary cortisol, stress andmood in healthy older adults: The Zenith study; Biological Psychology, 78: 1-9, 2008Stewart-Knox BJ, Simpson EE, Parr H, Rae G, Polito A, Intorre F, Andriollo Sanchez M, Meunier N, O'Connor JM,Maiani G, Coudray C, Strain JJ; Taste acuity in response to zinc supplementation in older Europeans; British Journal ofNutrition, 99:129-136, 200886