Polyunsaturated fatty acids in the central nervous system: evolution of concepts and nutritional implications throughout life
Reprod. Nutr. Dev.. 2004-11-01; 44(6): 509-538
DOI: 10.1051/rnd:2004063
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Alessandri JM(1), Guesnet P, Vancassel S, Astorg P, Denis I, Langelier B, Aïd S,
Poumès-Ballihaut C, Champeil-Potokar G, Lavialle M.
Author information:
(1)Neurobiologie des Lipides, Laboratoire de Nutrition et Sécurité Alimentaire,
INRA, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas, France.
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.