Abstract
As described in this journal, Bromfield et al. and Yuen et al. tested the hypothesis that n-3 fatty acids may reduce seizures [ 1 Bromfield E. Dworetzsky B. Huwitz S. et al. A randomized trial of polyunsaturated fatty acids for refractory epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav. 2008; 12: 187-190 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (83) Google Scholar , 2 Yuen A.W. Sander J.W. Fluegel D. et al. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in patients with chronic epilepsy: a randomized trial. Epilepsy Behav. 2005; 7: 253-258 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (140) Google Scholar ]. This is important work, founded in sound science. It is known that eicosapentanoic acid reduces the frequency of hippocampal pyramidal neuron firing rates [ [3] Xiao Y. Li X. Polyunsaturated fatty acids modify mouse hippocampal neuronal excitability during excitotoxic or convulsant stimulation. Brain Res. 1999; 846: 112-121 Crossref PubMed Scopus (114) Google Scholar ]. Furthermore, n-3 fatty acids reduce the number and increase the latency of pentylenetetrazole- and FeCl3-induced seizures, reduce seizure severity in rodents, and improve cognitive recovery after acute seizures [ 4 Yehuda S. Carasso R. Mostofsky D. Essential fatty acid preparation (SR-3) raises the seizure threshold in rats. Eur J Pharmacol. 1994; 254: 193-198 Crossref PubMed Scopus (121) Google Scholar , 5 Voskuyl R. Vregdenhil M. Kang J. et al. Anticonvulsant effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids in rats, using the cortical stimulation model. Eur J Pharmacol. 1998; 341: 145-152 Crossref PubMed Scopus (121) Google Scholar , 6 Rabinovitz S. Mostofsky D. Yehuda S. Anticonvulsant efficiency, behavioral performance, and cortisol levels: a comparison of carbamazepine (CBZ) and a fatty acid compound (SR-3). Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2004; 29: 113-124 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (39) Google Scholar ]. Moreover, in an important discovery recently reported in this journal, Ferrari et al. found that n-3 fatty acids prevent or reduce hippocampal neuronal injury after status epilepticus [ [7] Ferrari D. Cysneiros R.M. Scorza C. et al. Neuroprotective activity of omega-3 fatty acids against epilepsy-induced hippocampal damage: quantification with immunohistochemical for calcium-binding proteins. Epilepsy Behav. 2008; 13: 36-42 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (56) Google Scholar ].
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