Alpha-linolenic acid, long-chain n-3 fatty acids, and neonatal brain development.
There appear to be mechanisms that enable the developing brain to regulate its concentration of 22:6n-3 in response to both dietary deficiencies and excesses. This appears to be true whether the n-3 fatty acids are supplied as 18:3n-3 or the long-chain derivatives, suggesting that the presence of 22:6n-3 during development may be of functional consequence to the operation of the nervous system. Although there is experimental support for specific effects of n-3 fatty acids on retinal function, further studies with better methodological controls are needed before effects on cognitive function in rodents can be considered unequivocal.
Department of Health Studies, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
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Wainwright
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development*; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000494:pharmacology; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008042:Linolenic Acids / Q000502:physiology*; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid
D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D008042:Linolenic Acids; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid