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Brain HealthNCT04570995

Effect of Fish Oil on Athlete's Executive Function

A study testing Fish Oil and Safflower Oil in people with Brain Health and Brain Function, run by Wake Forest University Health Sciences at 1 site in United States.

Terminated

Stopped early. The study ended before it was planned to and will not resume.

Official record
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Trial summary

The goal of this study is to determine the impact of long chain omega-3 PUFA (Polyunsaturated fatty acids) supplementation on executive function in collegiate athletes in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Brain Health, Brain Function, Brain Development
What is being tested?
Fish Oil and Safflower Oil
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
22 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
5 Nov 2020to 18 Dec 2020
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • Men only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Wake Forest University National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I baseball male student athletes cleared to participate in university athletics as determined by the team physician
  • Age >/=18 years

Who cannot join

  • Unwillingness to consume a daily dietary supplement over the course of the study
  • Allergy to dietary supplement components
  • Lipid-lowering medication use

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Wake Forest Health Sciences

    Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Effect of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) on Brain Executive Function in Student Athletes

The goal of this study is to determine the impact of long chain omega-3 PUFA (Polyunsaturated fatty acids) supplementation on executive function in collegiate athletes in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Read the detailed description

The main objective of this study is to determine the effect of daily oral intake of a fish oil capsule enriched in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on brain EF (Executive Function) and blood-based biomarkers among male collegiate baseball student athletes over the course of an academic school year

Being tested
Fish Oil, Safflower Oil
Keywords
Polyunsaturated fatty Acids, Executive Function abilities

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Fish OilDietary supplement

    Also called eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

    Dietary supplement containing fish oil, encapsulated in soft gel capsules, given 5 days per week

  • Safflower OilDietary supplement

    Also called high oleic acid (18:1, monounsaturated fatty acid)

    Dietary supplement containing a placebo oil product (safflower oil), encapsulated in soft gel capsules, given 5 days per week

Study groups in NCT04570995
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
fish oilActive comparatorparticipants will be asked to consume a daily (5 days per week) dietary supplement containing fish oil encapsulated in soft gel capsules.
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Fish Oil
safflower oilPlacebo comparatorparticipants will be asked to consume a daily (5 days per week) dietary supplement containing a placebo oil product (safflower oil) encapsulated in soft gel capsules.
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Safflower Oil

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale (BDEFS)

    Evaluate dimensions of adult executive functioning in daily life - self administered - Items are answered on a 4-point scale ranging from "1= Never or rarely" to " 4 = Very often"; α's range from 0.91 to 0.96. Higher scores are interpreted as indicating greater deficits in EF - The Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale is an 89 item self-report measure of executive functioning.

    Measured: visit #2 (~6-8 weeks after baseline)

  2. Stroop Test

    Subjects will be asked to read words of colors, state the colors of various letters to test processing speed, and state the color of the font of a word when the actual word describes a conflicting color to test response inhibition (executive functioning).

    Three scores, as well as an interference score, are generated using the number of items completed on each page, with higher scores reflecting better performance and less interference on reading ability. T-Scores of 40 or less are considered "low." Word, color, and color-word T-Scores above 40 or are considered "normal".

    Measured: visit #2 (~6-8 weeks after baseline)

  3. Stroop Test

    Subjects will be asked to read words of colors, state the colors of various letters to test processing speed, and state the color of the font of a word when the actual word describes a conflicting color to test response inhibition (executive functioning).

    Three scores, as well as an interference score, are generated using the number of items completed on each page, with higher scores reflecting better performance and less interference on reading ability. T-Scores of 40 or less are considered "low." Word, color, and color-word T-Scores above 40 or are considered "normal".

    Measured: Baseline, Day 1

  4. Trail Making Test

    Visual attention, task switching - self administered - The Trail Making Test is a neuropsychological test of visual attention and task switching. It consists of two parts in which the subject is instructed to connect a set of 25 dots as quickly as possible while still maintaining accuracy.

    The test results are reported as the time that took to complete. Longer times denotes worse outcomes.

    Measured: visit #2 (~6-8 weeks after baseline)

  5. Trail Making Test

    Visual attention, task switching - self administered - The Trail Making Test is a neuropsychological test of visual attention and task switching. It consists of two parts in which the subject is instructed to connect a set of 25 dots as quickly as possible while still maintaining accuracy.

    The test results are reported as the time that took to complete. Longer times denotes worse outcomes.

    Measured: Baseline, Day 1

  6. Stop-Signal Test

    Response inhibition - self administered - stop signal task is a test of inhibition of prepotent responses. It requires the participant to respond as quickly as possible to a predetermined stimulus, the go trial, but to abort any response when a subsequently presented stop signal is displayed.

    Speed and accuracy on the go trials are measured. The stop signal reaction time is calculated and reported

    Measured: visit #2 (~6-8 weeks after baseline)

  7. Stop-Signal Test

    Response inhibition - self administered - stop signal task is a test of inhibition of prepotent responses. It requires the participant to respond as quickly as possible to a predetermined stimulus, the go trial, but to abort any response when a subsequently presented stop signal is displayed.

    Speed and accuracy on the go trials are measured. The stop signal reaction time is calculated and reported

    Measured: Baseline, Day 1

  8. Digit Span

    Working memory - self administered -Digit Span measures verbal short-term memory, defined as the system that allows for temporary storage of information, and is crucial in everyday tasks such as remembering a telephone number or understanding long sentences - The average digit span for normal adults without error is seven plus or minus two. The Digit Span test is a measure of verbal short-term/working memory. Scores range from 0 to 28, with higher scores indicating better verbal short-term/working memory.

    Measured: visit #2 (~6-8 weeks after baseline)

  9. Digit Span

    Working memory - self administered -Digit Span measures verbal short-term memory, defined as the system that allows for temporary storage of information, and is crucial in everyday tasks such as remembering a telephone number or understanding long sentences - The average digit span for normal adults without error is seven plus or minus two. The Digit Span test is a measure of verbal short-term/working memory. Scores range from 0 to 28, with higher scores indicating better verbal short-term/working memory.

    Measured: Baseline, Day 1

  10. Wisconsin Card Sort Test

    Will be administered to assess preservation and abstract thinking. The The task measures how well people can adapt to the changing rules, and their cognitive flexibility.

    The number of perseverative errors in Wisconsin Card Sorting Task is the most robust variable of the task to assess cognitive flexibility. Higher scores show an impairment of cognitive flexibility.

    Measured: visit #2 (~6-8 weeks after baseline)

  11. Wisconsin Card Sort Test

    Will be administered to assess preservation and abstract thinking. The The task measures how well people can adapt to the changing rules, and their cognitive flexibility.

    The number of perseverative errors in Wisconsin Card Sorting Task is the most robust variable of the task to assess cognitive flexibility. Higher scores show an impairment of cognitive flexibility.

    Measured: Baseline, Day 1

  12. Circulating levels of fatty acids - EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) in plasma

    centrifuged to isolate plasma for EPA fatty acid analysis

    Measured: visit #2 (~6-8 weeks after baseline)

  13. Circulating levels of fatty acids - EPA on red blood cells

    centrifuged to isolate red blood cells for EPA fatty acid analysis

    Measured: visit #2 (~6-8 weeks after baseline)

  14. Circulating levels of fatty acids - DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) on Red blood cells

    centrifuged to isolate red blood cells for DHA fatty acid analysis

    Measured: visit #2 (~6-8 weeks after baseline)

  15. Circulating levels of fatty acids - DHA in plasma

    centrifuged to isolate plasma for DHA fatty acid analysis

    Measured: visit #2 (~6-8 weeks after baseline)

Secondary outcomes (24)
  1. Capsule consumption compliance

    Percentage capsules taken

    Measured: Visits 2 (Week~6-8 weeks after baseline ) and visit 5 (up to 9 months)

  2. Weight

    Measured: Visits 1 to 5, from baseline up to 9 months

  3. BMI

    Measured: Visits 1 to 5, from baseline up to 9 months

  4. Waist circumference

    Measured: Visits 1 to 5, from baseline up to 9 months

  5. Hip circumferences

    Measured: Visits 1 to 5, from baseline up to 9 months

  6. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS)

    Designed to measure the negative emotional states of depression, anxiety and stress - It consists of three 14-item subscales with each item scored on a 4-point Likert scale, ranging from 0 (did not apply to me at all) to 3 (applied to me very much, or most of the time). Total scores are calculated by summing the items on each subscale, giving a score range of 0-42 on each subscale. Scores above 20, 14 and 25 on the depression, anxiety and stress subscales respectively are indicative of severe levels. Higher scores denotes worse outcomes.

    Measured: Visits 1 to 5, from baseline up to 9 months

  7. Inflammatory and/or injury biomarkers (e.g., isoprostanes)

    quantify plasma levels of inflammatory biomarker assays

    Measured: Visits 1 to 5, from baseline up to 9 months

  8. Levels of inflammatory and/or injury biomarkers (creatinine kinase)

    Measured: Visits 1 to 5, from baseline up to 9 months

  9. Levels of inflammatory and/or injury biomarkers (ROS) (Reactive oxygen species)

    quantify plasma levels of inflammatory biomarker assays

    Measured: Visits 1 to 5, from baseline up to 9 months

  10. Levels of Inflammatory and/or injury biomarkers (IGF) (Insulin-like growth factor 1)

    quantify plasma levels of inflammatory biomarker assays

    Measured: Visits 1 to 5, from baseline up to 9 months

  11. Levels of inflammatory and/or injury biomarkers (TNF) (Tumor necrosis factor)

    quantify plasma levels of inflammatory biomarker assays

    Measured: Visits 1 to 5, from baseline up to 9 months

  12. Levels of inflammatory and/or injury biomarkers (CRP) (C-reactive protein)

    quantify plasma levels of inflammatory biomarker assays

    Measured: Visits 1 to 5, from baseline up to 9 months

  13. Levels of inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10) (Interleukin)

    quantify plasma levels of inflammatory biomarker assays

    Measured: Post study - 9 months

  14. Sleep patterns

    Time spent in each sleep stage: Light, REM, Slow Wave (Deep), and Awake.

    Measured: 4 Visits during 9 months (approximately 6-8 week intervals)

  15. Reaction time assessment

    Baseball performance, assessed by reaction time assessment using the DynaVision system

    Measured: weekly intervals for 9 months of study

  16. Heart rate variability

    Measured: From baseline up to 9 months

  17. Heart rate

    Measured: From baseline up to 9 months

  18. Respiratory rate

    Measured: From baseline up to 9 months

  19. Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale (BDEFS)

    Evaluate dimensions of adult executive functioning in daily life - self administered - Items are answered on a 4-point scale ranging from "1= Never or rarely" to " 4 = Very often"; α's range from 0.91 to 0.96. Higher scores are interpreted as indicating greater deficits in EF - The Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale is an 89 item self-report measure of executive functioning.

    Measured: From Visit 3 (week ~12-16 weeks after baseline) to visit 5 (up to 9 months)

  20. Stroop Test

    Subjects will be asked to read words of colors, state the colors of various letters to test processing speed, and state the color of the font of a word when the actual word describes a conflicting color to test response inhibition (executive functioning).

    Three scores, as well as an interference score, are generated using the number of items completed on each page, with higher scores reflecting better performance and less interference on reading ability. T-Scores of 40 or less are considered "low." Word, color, and color-word T-Scores above 40 or are considered "normal".

    Measured: From Visit 3 (week ~12-16 weeks after baseline) to visit 5 (up to 9 months)

  21. Trail Making Test

    Visual attention, task switching - self administered - The Trail Making Test is a neuropsychological test of visual attention and task switching. It consists of two parts in which the subject is instructed to connect a set of 25 dots as quickly as possible while still maintaining accuracy.

    The test results are reported as the time that took to complete. Longer times denotes worse outcomes.

    Measured: From Visit 3 (week ~12-16 weeks after baseline) to visit 5 (up to 9 months)

  22. Stop-Signal Test

    Response inhibition - self administered - stop signal task is a test of inhibition of prepotent responses. It requires the participant to respond as quickly as possible to a predetermined stimulus, the go trial, but to abort any response when a subsequently presented stop signal is displayed.

    Speed and accuracy on the go trials are measured. The stop signal reaction time is calculated and reported

    Measured: From Visit 3 (week ~12-16 weeks after baseline) to visit 5 (up to 9 months)

  23. Digit Span

    Working memory - self administered -Digit Span measures verbal short-term memory, defined as the system that allows for temporary storage of information, and is crucial in everyday tasks such as remembering a telephone number or understanding long sentences - The average digit span for normal adults without error is seven plus or minus two. The Digit Span test is a measure of verbal short-term/working memory. Scores range from 0 to 28, with higher scores indicating better verbal short-term/working memory.

    Measured: From Visit 3 (week ~12-16 weeks after baseline) to visit 5 (up to 9 months)

  24. Wisconsin Card Sort Test

    Will be administered to assess preservation and abstract thinking. The The task measures how well people can adapt to the changing rules, and their cognitive flexibility.

    The number of perseverative errors in Wisconsin Card Sorting Task is the most robust variable of the task to assess cognitive flexibility. Higher scores show an impairment of cognitive flexibility.

    Measured: From Visit 3 (week ~12-16 weeks after baseline) to visit 5 (up to 9 months)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted30 Sep 2020
  2. Study start5 Nov 2020
  3. Primary completion18 Dec 2020
  4. Study completion18 Dec 2020

Why it stopped: Sponsor unable to send smaller necessary capsules

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Supportive care
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-arm intervention study
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator
Enrolment
22 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04570995
Sponsor's protocol ID
IRB00068607
Status last verified
Sep 2020
First submitted
24 Sep 2020
Last updated
22 Mar 2023
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Innis SM. Dietary omega 3 fatty acids and the developing brain. Brain Res. 2008 Oct 27;1237:35-43. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2008.08.078. Epub 2008 Sep 9.

    PubMed 18789910
  • McNamara RK, Able J, Jandacek R, Rider T, Tso P, Eliassen JC, Alfieri D, Weber W, Jarvis K, DelBello MP, Strakowski SM, Adler CM. Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation increases prefrontal cortex activation during sustained attention in healthy boys: a placebo-controlled, dose-ranging, functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Apr;91(4):1060-7. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2009.28549. Epub 2010 Feb 3.

    PubMed 20130094
  • Vesco AT, Young AS, Arnold LE, Fristad MA. Omega-3 supplementation associated with improved parent-rated executive function in youth with mood disorders: secondary analyses of the omega 3 and therapy (OATS) trials. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2018 Jun;59(6):628-636. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.12830. Epub 2017 Oct 24.

    PubMed 29063592

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Fish Oil and Safflower Oil in people with Brain Health and Brain Function, run by Wake Forest University Health Sciences at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: stopped early, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 Mar 2023. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study was stopped early (reason given: Sponsor unable to send smaller necessary capsules). Results are not available in the source record.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale (BDEFS) (time frame: visit #2 (~6-8 weeks after baseline)). The study lists 15 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04570995, which also lists 3 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 22 Mar 2023; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 1 Nov 2026.

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