Abstract
Brain lipids contain a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which are a main component of cell membranes. Omega -3 (ω-3) PUFA eicosapentaeoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the most common PUFA in the brain. The physiological roles of ω-3 PUFA in the brain include regulation of cell membrane fluidity, dopaminergic and serotoninergic transmission, membrane-bound enzymes and cellular signal transduction. They are also thought to play a role in brain glucose metabolism, eicosanoid synthesis, gene expression, cell growth and protection from apoptosis. Increasing evidence from animal and human research shows ω-3 PUFA depletion may play an etiological role in several inflammatory, autoimmune and neuropsychiatric disorders. In particular, an association between ω-3 PUFA and depression was repeatedly suggested in observational and experimental studies on populations affected by major depression, depressed mood or post-partum depression. Consistently, the potential therapeutic role of ω-3 PUFA dietary supplementation was tested in clinical trials on depression. The current review identifies and evaluates available epidemiological evidence of a negative relationship between ω-3 PUFA and depression and examines its biological plausibility. Although current evidence increasingly supports an inverse association between ω-3 PUFA and depression, the validity of findings from observational and experimental research is limited by several methodological issues. Further studies with larger sample sizes and more sophisticated design are required to provide convincing evidence of a causal relationship between ω-3 PUFA and depression.
Keywords: Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA, DHA, polyunsaturated fatty acids, depression
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Depression: A Review of the Evidence
Volume: 15 Issue: 36
Author(s): R. Liperoti, F. Landi, O. Fusco, R. Bernabei and G. Onder
Affiliation:
Keywords: Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA, DHA, polyunsaturated fatty acids, depression
Abstract: Brain lipids contain a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which are a main component of cell membranes. Omega -3 (ω-3) PUFA eicosapentaeoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the most common PUFA in the brain. The physiological roles of ω-3 PUFA in the brain include regulation of cell membrane fluidity, dopaminergic and serotoninergic transmission, membrane-bound enzymes and cellular signal transduction. They are also thought to play a role in brain glucose metabolism, eicosanoid synthesis, gene expression, cell growth and protection from apoptosis. Increasing evidence from animal and human research shows ω-3 PUFA depletion may play an etiological role in several inflammatory, autoimmune and neuropsychiatric disorders. In particular, an association between ω-3 PUFA and depression was repeatedly suggested in observational and experimental studies on populations affected by major depression, depressed mood or post-partum depression. Consistently, the potential therapeutic role of ω-3 PUFA dietary supplementation was tested in clinical trials on depression. The current review identifies and evaluates available epidemiological evidence of a negative relationship between ω-3 PUFA and depression and examines its biological plausibility. Although current evidence increasingly supports an inverse association between ω-3 PUFA and depression, the validity of findings from observational and experimental research is limited by several methodological issues. Further studies with larger sample sizes and more sophisticated design are required to provide convincing evidence of a causal relationship between ω-3 PUFA and depression.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Liperoti R., Landi F., Fusco O., Bernabei R. and Onder G., Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Depression: A Review of the Evidence, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2009; 15 (36) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161209789909683
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161209789909683 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
?Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment: Nano-Therapeutics Targeting Tumor Microenvironment?
This thematic issue explores the forefront of cancer treatment, centering on the groundbreaking potential of nano-therapeutics meticulously designed to target the tumor microenvironment. At its core, the issue aims to unravel the latest advancements in nanotechnology, showcasing innovative materials, formulations, and delivery systems that hold promise for redefining cancer therapeutics. ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Synthesis and Anti-tumor Activities of Novel Phenyl Substituted Suberoylanilide Hydroxamic Acid Derivatives Against Human Cancer Cells
Medicinal Chemistry Targeting Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans in Breast Cancer Treatment
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery CETUXIMAB: From Bench to Bedside
Current Cancer Drug Targets Regulatory Circuitries Coordinated by Transcription Factors and microRNAs at the Cornerstone of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Differentiation
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy HIV Shedding in Cervico-Vaginal Secretions in Pregnant Women
Current HIV Research Recent Advances in Oncological Submissions of Dendrimer
Current Pharmaceutical Design Microenvironmental Regulation of Cancer Stem Cell Phenotypes
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy G-Quadruplex Interacting Agents Targeting the Telomeric G-Overhang Are More than Simple Telomerase Inhibitors
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Anti-Cancer Agents Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications of Recombinant Antibodies:Targeting the Extra-Domain B of Fibronectin, A Marker of Tumor Angiogenesis
Current Pharmaceutical Design Cytokines as Novel Therapeutic Agents for Neuroinflammatory Disorders: A Role for Interferon-β in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Central Nervous System Agents Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Psychological Stress and Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Design Dual Inhibitors of PI3K/mTOR or mTOR-Selective Inhibitors: Which Way Shall We Go?
Current Medicinal Chemistry Oligonucleotides and G-quadruplex Stabilizers: Targeting Telomeres and Telomerase in Cancer Therapy
Current Pharmaceutical Design Role of miRNA in Lung Cancer-Potential Biomarkers and Therapies
Current Pharmaceutical Design Neuroprotective and Neurotoxic Implications of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor and Aβ Interaction: Therapeutic Options in Alzheimer's Disease
Current Drug Targets Annexin A5 Imaging: An Academic Research – Clinical Trials and Theses
Current Molecular Imaging (Discontinued) Modulation of Inflammatory Immune Reactions by Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Application
Current Medicinal Chemistry Pro-inflammatory Cytokines in Animal and Human Gestation
Current Pharmaceutical Design Recent Development in the Discovery of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) Inhibitors for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Current Medicinal Chemistry Lipoamino Acid Prodrugs of Paclitaxel: Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Evaluation on Human Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma Cells
Current Cancer Drug Targets