title: DHA Effects in Brain Development and Function.
abstract: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a structural constituent of membranes specifically in the central nervous system. Its accumulation in the fetal brain takes place mainly during the last trimester of pregnancy and continues at very high rates up to the end of the second year of life. Since the endogenous formation of DHA seems to be relatively low, DHA intake may contribute to optimal conditions for brain development. We performed a narrative review on research on the associations between DHA levels and brain development and function throughout the lifespan. Data from cell and animal studies justify the indication of DHA in relation to brain function for neuronal cell growth and differentiation as well as in relation to neuronal signaling. Most data from human studies concern the contribution of DHA to optimal visual acuity development. Accumulating data indicate that DHA may have effects on the brain in infancy, and recent studies indicate that the effect of DHA may depend on gender and genotype of genes involved in the endogenous synthesis of DHA. While DHA levels may affect early development, potential effects are also increasingly recognized during childhood and adult life, suggesting a role of DHA in cognitive decline and in relation to major psychiatric disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark. ll@nexs.ku.dk.
authors.forename: Lotte
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lauritzen
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Clinic, Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Cà Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, 20121 Milan, Italy. paolo.brambilla1@unimi.it.|Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, University of Texas at Houston, 2800 South Macgregor Way, Houston, TX 77021, USA. paolo.brambilla1@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brambilla
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Cà Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20121 Milan, Italy. alessandra.mazzocchi1@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mazzocchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark. laurinebs@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Laurine B S
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Harsløf
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Clinic, Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Cà Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, 20121 Milan, Italy. valentina.ciappolino@libero.it.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ciappolino
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Cà Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20121 Milan, Italy. carlo.agostoni@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Agostoni
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D003071:Cognition; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids
keywords: brain development; desaturases; docosahexaenoic acid; psychiatric disorders