Krill Oil Shows Cognitive, Antidepressant Benefits in Rats

OSLOAccording to new research from Aker BioMarine, krill oil displayed cognitive and antidepressant benefits in animal models. The study, published in Lipids in Health and Disease, measured krill oil's effects compared to the antidepressant Imipramine on rats after seven weeks.

Using the Aversive Light Stimulus Avoidance Test (ALSAT), researchers found rats treated with krill oil were significantly better in discerning between the active and inactive levers in the test (Lipids in Health and Disease. 2013, 12:6). The krill oil supplementation also presented a "robust antidepressant-like potential," as both it and Imipramine prevented resignation and depression on the third day of testing.

Scientists also studied the mechanisms behind krill oil's effects, noting mRNA was upregulated in the rats' hippocampus. Krill oil has previously been studied for its positive effects on cardiovascular health, obesity and inflammation.