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.

Histological study of the possible protective action of omega-3-fatty acids on the injurious effect induced by Bisphenol A on rat hippocampus

“…Prominent studies in traumatic brain injury indicated a similar neuroprotective potential. Omega-3 PUFAs also possess neurotrophic properties [43] .…”

Low-temperature improved-throughput method for analysis of brain fatty acids and assessment of their post-mortem stability

“…Evidence that brain lipid metabolism may influence the development of several neurological diseases, including AD, includes the observations that (i) the gene encoding the cholesterol transporter apolipoprotein E type 4 is a major risk factor for both sporadic and familial AD, (ii) epidemiological (BarbergerGateau et al, 2002;Conquer et al, 2000;Larrieu et al, 2004;Morris et al, 2003;Tully et al, 2003;Young and Conquer, 2005) and experimental studies have indicated that increased 3 fatty acid consumption decreases the risk of developing a number of diseases including AD (reviewed in Assisi et al, 2006) and (iii) the modern human diet is deficient in 3 fatty acids compared to the paleolithic diet on which humans evolved (Broadhurst et al, 2002;Muskiet et al, 2004).…”

Dietary fish oil n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and alpha-linolenic acid differently affect brain accretion of docosahexaenoic acid and expression of desaturases and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 in mice☆

“…Changes in brain DHA are positively associated with changes in cognitive and behavioral performance [1,2]. Animal and human studies have shown that n-3 PUFA deficiency reduces DHA concentration in brain, alters neurogenesis [3] and is associated with poorer development of visual acuity and lower indices of neural development [1,2], as well as with a variety of central nervous system disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and psychiatric illnesses, such as schizophrenia and depression and mood disorders [4].…”