Don't slap the fish: the relationship between dietary omega-3 intake and physical aggression is mediated by motor inhibition in response to distressed faces

Fido, D, Heym, N ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2414-8854, Bloxsom, CAJ ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5115-6342, Hunter, KA ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0743-9724, Gregson, M ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3205-6821 and Sumich, A ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4333-8442, 2021. Don't slap the fish: the relationship between dietary omega-3 intake and physical aggression is mediated by motor inhibition in response to distressed faces. Personality and Individual Differences, 169: 110062. ISSN 0191-8869

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Abstract

The innate violence inhibition mechanism (VIM) purportedly regulates maladaptive aggressive behavior through motor inhibition, in response to expressions of distress, and is implicated in psychopathy-related aggression. Deficiency in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; an omega-3 fatty acid) is implicated in aggression and callous-unemotional (CU) traits, however, its relationship to the VIM remains unknown. Two studies tested relationships between EPA intake, personality (aggression, CU traits), and electrophysiological indices of the VIM. In study one (N=98), participants completed omega-3 intake (FFQ), CU traits (ICU), and aggression (BPAQ) measures. Physical aggression correlated positively with callousness and negatively with EPA intake. CU traits were unrelated to EPA. In study two (N=47), participants completed the same measures and an electroencephalography assessment of VIM. Stop-P300 amplitude (motor inhibition success) in response to facial expressions of distress mediated the relationship between EPA intake and physical aggression. This is the first demonstration of an association between EPA intake and electroencephalographic indices of the VIM. Findings support a role of EPA in regulating aggression through networks involved in distress-cued executive control over behaviour; and provide supporting data to direct future trial designs for nutritional supplementation in non-clinical, clinical and forensic arenas.

Item Type:	Journal article
Alternative Title:	EPA and physical aggression (anonymised manuscript) V2.1
Publication Title:	Personality and Individual Differences
Creators:	Fido, D., Heym, N., Bloxsom, C.A.J., Hunter, K.A., Gregson, M. and Sumich, A.
Publisher:	Elsevier
Date:	1 February 2021
Volume:	169
ISSN:	0191-8869
Identifiers:	Number Type 1315792 Other 10.1016/j.paid.2020.110062 DOI S0191886920302518 Publisher Item Identifier
Divisions:	Schools > School of Science and Technology Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	Linda Sullivan
Date Added:	16 Apr 2020 08:50
Last Modified:	25 May 2022 03:00
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/39646

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