# OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS AND VISUAL DEVELOPMENT

> **NIH NIH R01** · RETINA FOUNDATION OF THE SOUTHWEST · 1994 · $248,154

## Abstract

The last trimester and early postnatal months of human development are
characterized by rapid development of the retina and visual cortex.
While the postnatal improvement of visual function and sensitivity to
disruption by abnormal early visual environments have been extensively
studied, the role of other environmental variables in human visual
development has only recently been addressed.  The present study is
designed to evaluate the longterm effects of dietary omega-3 and omega-6
long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) supply on retinal and
brain development in low birthweight preterm infants and in fullterm
infants.  There is a high concentration of omega-3 and omega-6 LCPUFAs
in electrically active membranes, particularly in brain synaptic
terminals and in retinal photoreceptors.  Since mammals are unable to
synthesize essential fatty acids (EFAs), optimal retinal and neural
development depend on placental transfer in utero and on dietary sources
postnatally.  Moreover, neonates may have immaturities which limit their
ability to elongate/desaturate parent EFAs to form LCPUFAs.  Prospective
studies of infants randomized to standard infant formula or to
experimental formulas containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6 omega-
3) and DHA plus arachidonic acid (AA; 20:4 omega-6) will evaluate the
effects of LCPUFA supply on retinal and brain maturation by means of
electroretinograms, pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials, forced-
choice preferential looking, electroencephalographic studies of the
sleep-wake cycle, and Bayley and Fagan tests.  Fatty acid profiles in
red blood cells will be used as an index of LCPUFA status in neural
tissue and to verify compliance with diet.  In vitro studies will
examine the effects of LCPUFA supplementation on the developing fetal
human retina and will provide new information on mechanisms by which DHA
and AA influence biological and morphological characteristics.  The
longterm goal of this project is to define nutritional requirements for
optimal retinal and cortical development of the human infant.  The
specific projects proposed here will help to characterize the role of
LCPUFAs in promoting retinal and cortical development and will be
crucial in determining whether there is a need for LCPUFA
supplementation of preterm and/or term infant formula.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2198508
- **Project number:** 5R01HD022380-06
- **Recipient organization:** RETINA FOUNDATION OF THE SOUTHWEST
- **SAM.gov UEI:** X4J4WHWY1KH1
- **Principal Investigator:** Eileen Elizabeth Birch
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $248,154
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1986-12-01 → 1996-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2198508

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2198508, OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS AND VISUAL DEVELOPMENT (5R01HD022380-06). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2198508. Licensed CC0.

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