title: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the brain: metabolism and neuroprotection.
abstract: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) are a group of essential fatty acids that serve as energy substrates and integral membrane components, and therefore play crucial roles in the maintenance of normal neurological function. Recent studies show that n-3 PUFAs display neuroprotective properties and exert beneficial effects on the cognitive function with aging. The brain's need of n-3 PUFAs is predominantly met by the blood delivery due to their limited synthesis in the brain. The present review focuses on the metabolism of n-3 PUFAs in the brain, including their accumulation and turnover. We also highlight the current understanding of the neuroprotective effects of n-3 PUFAs against cerebral ischemia and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Anesthesiology Department of Huanshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
authors.forename: Wenting
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Peiying
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiaoming
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yanqin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001693:Biological Transport, Active; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents