Omega-3 & Newborn Brain Injury: Rodent Study
- A novel injectable emulsion containing omega-3 fatty acids, derived from fish oil, significantly decreased brain damage in newborn rodents following oxygen deprivation near birth, according to a Columbia...
- Oxygen deprivation during labor and delivery affects one to three of every 1,000 live births in the U.S.Surviving infants may face cerebral palsy, cognitive issues, epilepsy, pulmonary hypertension,...
- Richard Deckelbaum, a professor of nutrition and pediatrics at Columbia University, said intravenous omega-3 emulsions offer a "novel therapeutic approach" to reduce the adverse outcomes of hypoxic brain...
Groundbreaking research reveals an injectable omega-3 formulation dramatically reduces newborn brain damage in rodent studies. This innovative treatment, targeting oxygen deprivation during birth, offers a superior option to current hypothermia therapy. The Columbia University study highlights the potential of this new diglyceride emulsion containing omega-3 fatty acids to minimize the neurological impact of birth-related injuries. The experimental therapy demonstrated greater efficacy in newborn rodents, promoting normal motor function and reflexes. Read the full report from News Directory 3 to discover how this novel approach could revolutionize the treatment of brain injury, reduce the risks of cerebral palsy, and improve cognitive outcomes.Discover what’s next in clinical trials and future applications.
Injectable Omega-3 Formulation Shows Promise in Reducing Newborn Brain Damage
Updated June 21, 2025
A novel injectable emulsion containing omega-3 fatty acids, derived from fish oil, significantly decreased brain damage in newborn rodents following oxygen deprivation near birth, according to a Columbia University study.
Oxygen deprivation during labor and delivery affects one to three of every 1,000 live births in the U.S.Surviving infants may face cerebral palsy, cognitive issues, epilepsy, pulmonary hypertension, and other neurodevelopmental problems.
Richard Deckelbaum, a professor of nutrition and pediatrics at Columbia University, said intravenous omega-3 emulsions offer a “novel therapeutic approach” to reduce the adverse outcomes of hypoxic brain injury.
The study indicated the new omega-3 readiness proved more effective in rodents than therapeutic hypothermia, the current FDA-approved standard. Hypothermia, involving three days of cooling blankets, benefits only about 15% of patients and can led to heart and respiratory complications.
Hylde Zirpoli, an associate research scientist in deckelbaum’s group, emphasized the need for a more effective and feasible treatment than therapeutic cooling, particularly one applicable in the immediate hours after injury.
Prior research suggests omega-3 emulsions possess neuroprotective qualities, reducing inflammation and cell death from oxygen deprivation.However, oral omega-3 supplements take weeks to affect organs after injury, making them less suitable for immediate protection.
The Columbia team’s injectable omega-3 therapy uses a diglyceride formulation, binding two omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) to a glyceride molecule. This enhances emulsification into concentrated particles, facilitating rapid penetration of the blood-brain barrier.
Researchers administered the therapy to week-old mice and rats with hypoxic brain injury.The experimental emulsion reduced brain damage more effectively than a commercially available omega-3 injectable emulsion, which is approved only as a nutritional supplement for infants with intravenous nutrition-related liver disease. Both preparations used similar doses.
The experimental emulsion’s faster absorption into the animals’ bloodstream may explain its superior performance.
Animals treated with the new therapy exhibited normal motor coordination and reflexes, comparable to animals without brain injury.
Deckelbaum stated that the omega-3 diglyceride emulsion prevented brain cell death and preserved neurologic function, reducing disability costs and improving patient well-being.
What’s next
Researchers aim to initiate clinical trials in newborns within two years. thay also plan to study the therapy’s effectiveness in preventing central nervous system damage in animals with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. Further studies will explore applications in other acute injuries and conditions involving oxygen deprivation, such as heart attack and stroke.