Research article summary (published 30 Oct 2004):

Polyunsaturated fatty acids in the central nervous system: evolution of concepts and nutritional implications throughout life.

Full Abstract

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) and arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6) are the major polyunsaturated fatty acids in the membranes of brain and retinal cells. Animals specifically deficient in dietary n-3 fatty acids have low DHA content in their membranes, reduced visual acuity and impaired learning ability. Studies on bottle-fed human infants have shown that adding DHA and AA to milk replacer-formulas can bring their concentrations in the infant blood lipids to values as high as those produced by breast-feeding and significantly improves mental development and maturation of visual function. In older subjects, diverse neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases have been associated to decreased blood levels of n-3 PUFA. Low intakes of fish or of n-3 PUFA in populations have been associated with increased risks of depression and Alzheimer disease, and n-3 PUFA, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3), have shown efficacy as adjunctive treatment - and in some cases as the only treatment--in several psychiatric disorders. The mechanisms by which polyunsaturated fatty acids have an impact on neuronal functions will be reviewed: the modulation of membrane biophysical properties, regulation of neurotransmitter release, synthesis of biologically active oxygenated derivatives, and nuclear receptor-mediated transcription of genes responsive to fatty acids or to their derivatives.

Author information

Author/s: Alessandri, Jean-Marc (JM); Guesnet, Philippe (P); Vancassel, Sylvie (S); Astorg, Pierre (P); Denis, Isabelle (I); Langelier, Bénédicte (B); Aïd, Sabah (S); Poumès-Ballihaut, Carine (C); Champeil-Potokar, Gaëlle (G); Lavialle, Monique (M);

Affiliation: Neurobiologie des Lipides, Laboratoire de Nutrition et Sécurité Alimentaire, INRA, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas, France. Jean-Marc.Alessandri(-atsign-)jouy.inra.fr

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: Reproduction, nutrition, development (Reprod Nutr Dev), published in France. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2004 Nov-Dec; vol 44 (issue 6) : pp 509-38

Dates: Created 2005/03/14; Completed 2005/06/09;

PMID: 15762297, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent Adult Aged Animals Arachidonic Acid - administration & dosage; metabolism Brain - metabolism; physiology Central Nervous System - metabolism; physiology Child Child, Preschool Dietary Fats, Unsaturated - administration & dosage; metabolism Docosahexaenoic Acids - administration & dosage; metabolism Eicosapentaenoic Acid - administration & dosage; metabolism; physiology Fatty Acids, Unsaturated - administration & dosage; metabolism; physiology

Fatty Acids, Unsaturated - administration & dosage; metabolism; physiology Female Food, Fortified Humans Infant Infant Formula - chemistry; standards Infant, Newborn Male Middle Aged Milk, Human - chemistry; physiology Nutritional Requirements Pregnancy Visual Acuity - drug effects; physiology

Associated Chemicals: Dietary Fats, Unsaturated (0) ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated (0) ; Eicosapentaenoic Acid (1553-41-9) ; Docosahexaenoic Acids (25167-62-8) ; Arachidonic Acid (506-32-1)

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