CoCo’s Dr. Michael Smith has been awarded an NHMNC grant in collaboration with colleagues in Australia to investigate the effects of omega-3 LCPUFA supplementation on long-term neurocognitive and functional outcomes. The project aims to investigate the influence of relatively high dose omega-3 supplementation during the first six months of life on neurocognitive outcomes (including intellectual capacity, language, teacher-rated scholastic performance and behavioural and emotional problems) at 6 years of age. This will be the first randomised controlled trial (RCT) of high dose n-3 LCPUFA supplementation on long term neurocognitive and functional outcomes in non-prematurely born children. Dr. Smith will also investigate whether genetic polymorphisms - associated with dysfunctional omega-3 metabolism - influence the effects of omega-3 supplementation on neurocognitive development.