Cognitive Scores and Selected Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Adolescents With Depression in Sokoto

Yusuf Sarkingobir; Ai Umar; Yusuf Yahya Miya; Syed Abdul Waheed

doi:10.30787/gaster.v24i2.2398

Authors

Yusuf Sarkingobir Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sokoto State University, Sokoto
Ai Umar Department of Environmental Education, Shehu Shagari University of Education, Sokoto,
Yusuf Yahya Miya University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State
Syed Abdul Waheed Department of Educational Studies, University of Okara, Okara, Punjab

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30787/gaster.v24i2.2398

Keywords:

Adolescents, Cognition, Depression, Polyunsaturated fatty acids, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) participate in neuronal functions, but their relationship with cognitive outcomes among adolescents with depression remains uncertain.

Objective: To compare cognitive screening scores between adolescents with reported depression and healthy participants and describe available PUFA measurements in Sokoto, Nigeria.

Method: This cross-sectional comparison included 30 adolescents with reported depression and 25 comparison participants. Cognitive screening was described using a mini-mental-state instrument, and selected fatty-acid values were reported for the depression group. An independent-samples t-test was reported.

Result: Mean cognitive scores were 21.50 ± 0.94 and 26.72 ± 3.048 in the depression and comparison groups, respectively (reported t = 8.31; p = 0.001). Four PUFA summary values were available only for the depression group, without units or reference intervals.

Conclusion: Lower cognitive screening scores were reported in the depression group. The available data do not establish PUFA deficiency or an association between PUFA status and cognition; methodological and biochemical verification is required.

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