Omega &Ä?Æ©Ç? Acid: itâ??s Role on Brain Developmental ĐÆ?Ç?ŝÆ?Ç?

A number of neuropsychiatric disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, Ä?Æ©Ä?nÆ?Žn Ä?Ä?Ä®cŝÆ? Å?yÆ?Ä?Æ?Ä?cÆ?Ç?ŝÆ?y disorder, and, to some extent, depression, involve Ä?yƐÆ?Ä?ŐƵůÄ?Æ?Žn of the brain dopamine systems. The Ä?Æ?ŽůŽŐy of these diseases is mƵůÆ?ĨÄ?cÆ?ŽÆ?ŝÄ?ůÍ? involving ŐÄ?nÄ?Æ?c and environmental factors. Evidence suggests that inadequate levels of n-3 (omega-3) polyunsaturated ĨÄ?Æ©y acids (PUFA) in the brain may represent a risk factor for these disorders. These ĨÄ?Æ©y acids, which are derived from the diet, are a major component of neuronal membranes and are of Æ?Ä?Æ?Æ?cƵůÄ?Æ? importance in brain development and ĨƵncÆ?ŽnÍ? Low levels of n-3 PUFAs in the brain Ä?Ä«Ä?cÆ? the brain dopamine systems and, when combined with appropriate ŐÄ?nÄ?Æ?c and other factors, increase the risk of developing these disorders and/or the severity of the disease.

Author(s): Csaba Pleh

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