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Fatty acid status and visual function in adults with dyslexia

E. Cyhlarova, K. Kinsey, P. Hansen, J. F. Stein and A. J. Richardson.

(1) University Lab. of Physiology, Oxford alex.richardson@physiol.ox.ac.uk

Abstract

Evidence from experimental and treatment studies suggests that deficiencies in certain highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) may contribute to some of the clinical features of dyslexia in both children and adults. The possible mechanisms involved are not yet known, but existing research has established that (a) omega-3 HUFA are essential for normal brain development and function and are particularly important in the visual system (b) impairments of rapid visual processing are often associated with dyslexia, and (c) mild physical signs of fatty acid deficiency correlate with self-report measures of visual symptoms in dyslexic adults. The hypothesis tested in this study was therefore that visual processing abilities in dyslexic adults would vary as a function of their fatty acid status. Fatty acid status was assessed in 30 dyslexic adults and 30 matched controls via clinical ratings of physical fatty acid deficiency signs and blood biochemical analyses (fatty acid composition of red cell membranes). Visual processing abilities were assessed via psychophysical measures of sensitivity to coherent motion and form. Associations between visual task performance and fatty acid measures will be explored using correlational analyses both within and across groups. Findings will be discussed in the context of existing knowledge about the role of fatty acids in vision and their potential relevance to dyslexia.

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