Age and IQ Explained Working Memory Performance in a RCT with Fatty Fish in a Group of Forensic Inpatients.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect of a long-term fatty fish intervention on a pure cognitive mechanism important for self-regulation and mental health, i.e. working memory (WM), controlling for age and IQ.

DESIGN

A randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

A forensic facility.

PARTICIPANTS

Eighty-four young to middle aged male forensic inpatients with psychiatric disorders.

INTERVENTION

Consumption of farmed salmon or control meal (meat) three times a week during 23 weeks.

MEASUREMENT

Performance on WM tasks, both accuracy and mean reaction time, were recorded pre and post intervention.

RESULTS

Performance on a cognitive functioning tasks taxing WM seemed to be explained by age and IQ.

CONCLUSION

Fatty fish consumption did not improve WM performance in a group of young to middle aged adults with mental health problems, as less impressionable factors such as aging and intelligence seemed to be the key components. The present study improves the knowledge concerning the interaction among nutrition, health and the aging process.