Abstract
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is the predominant omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) found in the brain and can affect neurological function by modulating signal transduction pathways, neurotransmission, neurogenesis, myelination, membrane receptor function, synaptic plasticity, neuroinflammation, membrane integrity and membrane organization. DHA is rapidly accumulated in the brain during gestation and early infancy, and the availability of DHA via transfer from maternal stores impacts the degree of DHA incorporation into neural tissues. The consumption of DHA leads to many positive physiological and behavioral effects, including those on cognition. Advanced cognitive function is uniquely human, and the optimal development and aging of cognitive abilities has profound impacts on quality of life, productivity, and advancement of society in general. However, the modern diet typically lacks appreciable amounts of DHA. Therefore, in modern populations, maintaining optimal levels of DHA in the brain throughout the lifespan likely requires obtaining preformed DHA via dietary or supplemental sources. In this review, we examine the role of DHA in optimal cognition during development, adulthood, and aging with a focus on human evidence and putative mechanisms of action.
Highlights
The cognitive ability of humans is arguably the most advanced in the entire animal kingdom.Such advancement is believed to be conferred by an expanded cerebral cortex and a highly developed prefrontal cortex, both of which are brain regions important for cognition
Levels are extremely low in brain tissue. This circumstance occurs because eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is rapidly oxidized and removed from the brain, or it is elongated to the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) docosapentaenoic acid (DPAn3; 22:5n-3), which acts as a precursor for Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) [40]
Considering that the aging of the brain occurs over decades, a general recommendation for maintaining DHA consumption throughout adulthood seems appropriate given the substantial data in aging populations, regardless of cognitive ability or disability
Summary
The cognitive ability of humans is arguably the most advanced in the entire animal kingdom Such advancement is believed to be conferred by an expanded cerebral cortex and a highly developed prefrontal cortex, both of which are brain regions important for cognition. Over half of the brain’s dry weight is comprised of lipids, and it is especially enriched in long-chain omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), suggesting a key role for these molecules in the optimal development, maturation and aging of neural structures and networks. Maintaining optimal lipid composition in these brain regions, and DHA levels, is important during the development and maturation of the brain from gestation through childhood and adolescence [12,13], but such maintenance is critical for successful aging of the adult brain [1,14,15,16]. We will discuss the importance of DHA for optimal neurological health throughout the lifespan, with a particular emphasis on cognitive function
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