TY - JOUR
T1 - The role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in the treatment of major depression and Alzheimer's disease
T2 - Acting separately or synergistically?
AU - Song, Cai
AU - Shieh, Chu Hsin
AU - Wu, Yi Shyuan
AU - Kalueff, Allan
AU - Gaikwad, Siddharth
AU - Su, Kuan Pin
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
PY - 2016/4/1
Y1 - 2016/4/1
N2 - Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3-PUFAs), mainly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), may improve or prevent some psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases in both experimental and clinical studies. As important membrane components, these PUFAs benefit brain health by modulating neuroimmune and apoptotic pathways, changing membrane function and/or competing with n-6 PUFAs, the precursors of inflammatory mediators. However, the exact role of each fatty acid in neuroimmune modulation and neurogenesis, the interaction between EPA and DHA, and the best EPA:DHA ratios for improving brain disorders, remain unclear. It is also unknown whether EPA, as a DHA precursor, acts directly or via DHA. Here, we discuss recent evidence of EPA and DHA effects in the treatment of major depression and Alzheimer's disease, as well as their potential synergistic action on anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neurotrophic processes in the brain. We further analyze the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which EPA, DHA or their combination may benefit these diseases. We also outline the limitations of current studies and suggest new genetic models and novel approaches to overcome these limitations. Finally, we summarize future strategies for translational research in this field.
AB - Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3-PUFAs), mainly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), may improve or prevent some psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases in both experimental and clinical studies. As important membrane components, these PUFAs benefit brain health by modulating neuroimmune and apoptotic pathways, changing membrane function and/or competing with n-6 PUFAs, the precursors of inflammatory mediators. However, the exact role of each fatty acid in neuroimmune modulation and neurogenesis, the interaction between EPA and DHA, and the best EPA:DHA ratios for improving brain disorders, remain unclear. It is also unknown whether EPA, as a DHA precursor, acts directly or via DHA. Here, we discuss recent evidence of EPA and DHA effects in the treatment of major depression and Alzheimer's disease, as well as their potential synergistic action on anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neurotrophic processes in the brain. We further analyze the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which EPA, DHA or their combination may benefit these diseases. We also outline the limitations of current studies and suggest new genetic models and novel approaches to overcome these limitations. Finally, we summarize future strategies for translational research in this field.
KW - Alzheimer's disease
KW - Docosahexaenoic acid
KW - Eicosapentaenoic acid
KW - Inflammation
KW - Major depressive disorder
KW - Neurogenesis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84955317668&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.plipres.2015.12.003
DO - 10.1016/j.plipres.2015.12.003
M3 - Review article
C2 - 26763196
AN - SCOPUS:84955317668
SN - 0163-7827
VL - 62
SP - 41
EP - 54
JO - Progress in Lipid Research
JF - Progress in Lipid Research
ER -