Polyunsaturated fatty acids in the central nervous system: evolution of concepts and nutritional implications throughout life.
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.
Alessandri
Jean-Marc
JM
Neurobiologie des Lipides, Laboratoire de Nutrition et Sécurité Alimentaire, INRA, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas, France. Jean-Marc.Alessandri@jouy.inra.fr
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
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000737:chemistry / Q000592:standards; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D011247:Pregnancy; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid