[Frontiers in Bioscience 16, 2653-2670, June 1, 2011]

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the brain: metabolism and neuroprotection

Wenting Zhang1, Peiying Li1,2, Xiaoming Hu2, Feng Zhang2,Jun Chen1,2, Yanqin Gao1

1State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Anesthesiology Department of Huanshan Hospital, and Institute of Brain Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China, 2Department of Neurology and Center of Cerebrovascular Disease Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Metabolism of n-3 PUFA in the brain
3.1. Accumulation of n-3 PUFAs in the brain
3.2. Turnover of n-3 PUFAs in the brain
4. n-3 PUFAs in cerebral ischemia
5. n-3 PUFAs in neurodegenerative diseases
5.1. n-3 PUFAs in Alzheimer's disease
5.2. n-3 PUFAs in Parkinson's disease
6. References

1. ABSTRACT

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) are a group of essential fatty acids that serve as energy substrates and integral membrane components, and therefore play crucial roles in the maintenance of normal neurological function. Recent studies show that n-3 PUFAs display neuroprotective properties and exert beneficial effects on the cognitive function with aging. The brain's need of n-3 PUFAs is predominantly met by the blood delivery due to their limited synthesis in the brain. The present review focuses on the metabolism of n-3 PUFAs in the brain, including their accumulation and turnover. We also highlight the current understanding of the neuroprotective effects of n-3 PUFAs against cerebral ischemia and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.