title: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and chronic stress-induced modulations of glutamatergic neurotransmission in the hippocampus.
abstract: Chronic stress causes the release of glucocorticoids, which greatly influence cerebral function, especially glutamatergic transmission. These stress-induced changes in neurotransmission could be counteracted by increasing the dietary intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs). Numerous studies have described the capacity of n-3 PUFAs to help protect glutamatergic neurotransmission from damage induced by stress and glucocorticoids, possibly preventing the development of stress-related disorders such as depression or anxiety. The hippocampus contains glucocorticoid receptors and is involved in learning and memory. This makes it particularly sensitive to stress, which alters certain aspects of hippocampal function. In this review, the various ways in which n-3 PUFAs may prevent the harmful effects of chronic stress, particularly the alteration of glutamatergic synapses in the hippocampus, are summarized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hennebelle
authors.forename: Gaëlle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Champeil-Potokar
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lavialle
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vancassel
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Denis
mesh_terms: D003863:Depression / Q000517:prevention & control; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005938:Glucocorticoids
keywords: DHA; astrocytes; chronic stress; glucocorticoids; glutamatergic synapse; neurons