1
|
|
2
|
Ross BM. Article Commentary: The Emerging Role of Eicosapentaenoic Acid as an Important Psychoactive Natural Product: Some Answers but a Lot more Questions. Lipid Insights 2008. [DOI: 10.4137/lpi.s1013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids play important roles in both the structure and communication processes of cells. Dietary deficiences of these fatty acids have been implicated in cardiac dysfunction, cancer and mood disorders. In the latter, clinical trials have strongly suggested that not all types of omega-3 PUFA are equally efficacious. In particular eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) appears to be the most useful in ameliorating the symptoms of major depressive disorder. The mechanism by which omega-3 PUFA have these effects, and why EPA is apparently more effective in this role than the much more abundant brain lipid docosahexaenoic acid, is unclear. The available data do suggest various biologically plausible mechanisms all of which are amenable to study using straightforward experimental approaches. To progress further, a better understanding of how EPA and other omega-3 PUFA effect neurophysiological and neurosignalling processes is required.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian M. Ross
- Division of Medical Science, Northern Ontario School of Medicine and the Departments of Biology, Chemistry and the Public Health Program, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|