title: Cognitive enhancement by omega-3 fatty acids from child-hood to old age: findings from animal and clinical studies.
abstract: Omega-(n)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are major components of neuronal membranes and have a wide range of functions, from modulating synaptic plasticity and neurochemistry, to neuroimmune-modulation and neuroprotection. Thus, it is not surprising that n-3 PUFA are widely acknowledged to have cognitive-enhancing effects. Although clinical evidence is somewhat conflicting, probably in large part due to methodological issues, animal studies have consistently demonstrated that n-3 PUFA are indispensable for proper brain development, may enhance cognitive function in healthy, adult individuals and attenuate cognitive impairment in aging and age-related disorders, such as dementia. This review discusses and integrates up to date evidence from clinical and animal studies investigating the cognitive-enhancing effects of n-3 PUFA during development, child- and adult-hood, as well as old-age with associated neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, we cover the major underlying biochemical and neurophysiological mechanisms by which n-3 PUFA mediate these effects on cognition. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Cognitive Enhancers'.
authors: Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
authors: Dirk W
authors: DW
authors: Luchtman
authors: Cai
authors: C
authors: Song
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D003071:Cognition; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D003704:Dementia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008560:Membrane Fluidity; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058573:Performance-Enhancing Substances / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D058573:Performance-Enhancing Substances