title: Fish oil and mental health: the role of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in cognitive development and neurological disorders.
abstract: Epidemiological and experimental studies have indicated that consumption of more n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids may reduce the risk for a variety of diseases, including cardiovascular, neurological and immunological disorders, diabetes and cancer. This article focuses on the role of marine n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in brain functions, including the development of the central nervous system and neurological disorders. An overview of the major animal studies and clinical trials is provided here, focusing on fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy and infancy, and prevention and management of Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, depression and attention deficit hyperactive disorder. Although an optimal balance in n-3/n-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio is important for proper neurodevelopment and cognitive functions, results from randomized controlled trials are controversial and do not confirm any useful effect of supplementation on development of preterm and term infants. The relationship between fatty acid status and mental disorders is confirmed by reduced levels of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in erythrocyte membranes of patients with central nervous system disorders. Nevertheless, there are very little data supporting the use of fish oil in those patients. The only way to verify whether n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are a potential therapeutic option in the management and prevention of mental disorders is to conduct a large definitive randomized controlled trials similar to those required for the licensing of any new pharmacological treatment.
authors.affiliation: Regulatory Policies Laboratory, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Assisi
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Banzi
authors.forename: Carmela
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Buonocore
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Capasso
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Di Muzio
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Michelacci
authors.forename: Danila
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Renzo
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tafuri
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Trotta
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vitocolonna
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Garattini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D008603:Mental Health; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils