The Impact of Supplementation With Multi-vitamins/Minerals, With and Without Fatty Acids, on Impulsivity and Aggression

NCT01558193 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: DB-0123-DHAVM
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 202
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

There is a series of well designed studies that have reported, in those with a history of anti-social behavior, that supplementation with vitamins / minerals, omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA), or both, reduces the incidence of aggressive behavior. Although there is evidence that all these nutrients have a role, to date the relative contribution of fatty acids and vitamins / minerals has not been considered: for example the possibility of a synergistic interaction has not yet been examined. In addition the topic has to date been studied under real-life condition, such as a prison, making the topic difficult to study. The major aim of the present study was to develop a paradigm that would allow the study of the topic in a sample from the general population without a history of anti-social behavior. Subjects received either a vitamin/mineral supplement, a fatty acid supplement, both or neither for three months, Measures of impulsivity and aggression were assessed before and after supplementation. Although in the past measures of actual behaviour have proved to be sensitive to supplementation, questionnaire measures have not. The second major objective was therefore to consider whether such phenomena can be studied in a sample without a history of anti-social behavior, using standardized, sensitive laboratory based measures and to compare these with questionnaire measures. POLYMORPHISMS AND THE RESPONSE TO MICRO-NUTRIENT SUPPLLMENTATION The data set were subsequently used to test an a priori hypothesis not related to the initial hypothesis. A meta-analysis found a consistent pattern that micro-nutrient supplementation improved mood (Long SJ, Benton D. Effects of vitamin and mineral supplementation on stress, mild psychiatric symptoms, and mood in nonclinical samples: a meta-analysis. Psychosom Med 2013; 75: 144-153). To produce evidence of possible mechanisms the extent was determined, to which the impact of micro-nutrient supplementation was influenced by a range of polymorphisms associated with neurotransmitter systems known to modulate mood. The primary outcome measure was the General Health Questionnaire, a 30-item self-report questionnaire that was developed to detect, in a community sample, those who would benefit from seeing a psychiatrist. Given the literature that relates polymorphisms to mood disorders, and the known pharmacology of anti-depressant drugs, a range of polymorphisms were chosen associated with serotonin and catecholamines. Dopamine The SNPs associated with the metabolism and functioning of dopamine were: Dopamine beta hydroxylase (DBH, rs16111115); Dopamine transporter (DAT1, rs2550946); Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT, rs4680, rs6269). Dopamine receptor D1 (DRD1, rs4532); Dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2, rs1079598, rs1800497); Dopamine receptor D3 (DRD3, rs6280); Dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4, rs1800955). Serotonin Ten SNPs associated with different aspects of serotonin metabolism were also considered. Rs1843809 is a SNP of the TPH2 gene that encodes Tryptophan hydroxylase. Rs1050565 is a SNP in the BLMH gene that influences the activity of 5HTT (SLC6A4), the serotonin transporter. SNPs associated with various serotonin receptors were also examined: genetic variations of the HTR1A gene (5-HT1A receptor, rs6295); HTR1B gene (5-HT1B receptor, rs6296); HTR2A gene (5-HT2A receptor, rs6311); HTR2B gene (5-HT2B receptor, rs1549339); HTR2C gene (5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2C, rs518147); HTR3A gene (5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 3A, rs1150226); HTR3B (5-HT3B receptor, rs1672717); HTR4 gene (5-HT4 receptor, rs2278392). Adrenergic mechanisms Finally six SNPs associated with adrenergic receptors were considered: ADRA2A (adrenoceptor alpha 2A, rs553668); ADRB1 (adrenoceptor alpha B1, rs1801253); ADRB2 (adrenoceptor alpha B2, rs1042713; ADRB3 (adrenoceptor alpha B3, rs4994); SLC6AC (noradrenaline transporter, rs5569 and rs2242447). Analysis The data will be analyzed using analysis of variance with a change in GHQ from before to after supplementation as the dependent variable: Micronutrient/placebo X Polymorphism.

Conditions

Aggression

Keywords

Aggression DHA; Docosahexaenoic acid; Impulsivity; Minerals; Vitamins

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Go Stop Impulsivity Paradigm

  The GoStop Impulsivity Paradigm measures the ability to inhibit an already initiated response. A number of five digits are presented on a computer screen for 500ms followed by a 500ms blackout. A second number then appears for 500ms followed by a 500ms blackout. If the numbers are identical the mouse button has to be pressed before the second number disappeared. However, the response has to be with-held if a "Stop" signal appeared; that is the second number was identical but changed from black to red. If the two numbers were different then no response was required.

  Change from before to after supplementation for three months

• Rosenzweig Picture Frustration Test

  This is test of the tendency to respond in an aggressive manner. A series of cartoons are presented that present an intentionally frustrating situation. The participant reports what he or she would say in that situation. Blind the responses are assessed in terms of the extent to which the responses are aggressive in matter Note that the use of two primary outcomes reflects the aim of the study to contrast performance and questionnaire measures

  Change from before to after supplementation for three months

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Buss Perry Aggression Scale

  Change from before to after supplementation for three months

• Perceived Stress Scale

  Change from before to after supplementation for three months

• Single Key Impulsivity Paradigm

  Change from before to after supplementation for three months

• General Health Questionnaire

  Further analysis of existing data - considers changes from baseline to three months

Study Arms (4)

Placebo

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Two placebos consumed

Dietary Supplement: Placebo

Multi-vitamin/mineral

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Subjects took multi-vitamin/mineral and placebo fatty acid capsule

Dietary Supplement: Multi-vitamin/mineral

Docosahexaenoic acid

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Subjects took docosahexaenoic acid capsule and placebo vitamins/minerals

Dietary Supplement: Docosahexaenoic acid

DHA plus vitamins/minerals

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Subjects took both fatty acid and vitamin/mineral supplements

Dietary Supplement: DHA plus vitamins/minerals

Interventions

Placebo DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Placebo for DHA of identical appearance - based on olive oil Placebo for vitamins/minerals of identical appearance

Also known as: Does not apply

Placebo

Multi-vitamin/mineral DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Each active tablet contained vitamins A (800µg); B1 (1.4mg); B2 (1.75mg); B6 (2mg); B12 (2.5mg); biotin 62.5 µg; folic acid 200 µg; niacin 20 mg; C (100mg); D (5µg); E (15mg); K (30µg); pantothenic acid (7.5 mg). In addition several minerals were administered: calcium (162mg); phosphorus (125mg); magnesium (100mg); potassium (40mg); chloride (36.3mg); iron (5mg); iodine (100µg); copper (500µg); manganese (2mg); chromium (40µg); molybdenum (50µg); selenium (30µg); zinc (5mg) as well as lutein (500 µg) . The placebo capsule was identical in color, size and appearance.

Also known as: Centrum Advance 50+ (Pfizer Inc, New York)

Multi-vitamin/mineral

Docosahexaenoic acid DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

22:6 (n-3) docosahexaenoic each capsule contained 224.2mg and three were taken per day

Also known as: Efalex (Efamol Ltd, Leatherhead, England)

Docosahexaenoic acid

DHA plus vitamins/minerals DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

The DHA and vitamin/mineral supplements are as above

Also known as: Efalex (Efamol Ltd), Centrum Advance 50+ (Pfizer Inc, New York)

DHA plus vitamins/minerals

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Only male participants are being studied of self-reported good health who do not regularly consume seafood. They will be of a minimum age of 18 years of age and a maximum of 35 years of age. They will not be currently taking any medication and have no acute or chronic medical condition

You may not qualify if:

• If they had consumed n-3 fatty acid ro vitamin/mineral supplements during the previous six months.
• If they have any history of food intolerance

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Swansea University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Swansea University

Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, United Kingdom

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Aggression; Impulsive Behavior

Interventions

Geritol; Minerals; Docosahexaenoic Acids; efalex; Vitamins

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Aberrant Motor Behavior in Dementia; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Social Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Inorganic Chemicals; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; Dietary Fats; Fats; Lipids; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Fatty Acids; Fish Oils; Oils; Micronutrients; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Pharmacologic Actions; Chemical Actions and Uses; Nutrients; Food; Diet, Food, and Nutrition; Physiological Phenomena; Food and Beverages

Study Officials

• David Benton, D.Sc

  Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom, SA2 8PP

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor of Psychology

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 28, 2012
• First Posted: March 20, 2012
• Study Start: March 1, 2011
• Primary Completion: July 1, 2011
• Study Completion: July 1, 2011
• Last Updated: May 5, 2017

Record last verified: 2017-05

Locations

GB (1)