Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Status, Microglial Activation, Stress Resilience, and Cognitive Performance
Abstract
It is widely reported across mammalian species that deficiency in the dietary intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) negatively impacts cognitive performance and mood. n-3 PUFA deficiency has also been implicated in disorders such as ADHD, PTSD, major depressive and bipolar disorders, and schizophrenia. Defining potential neuronal mechanisms that linkn-3 PUFA levels to cognitive and behavioral deficits has important implications given that the trend of the modern diet has been toward reduced n-3 PUFA intake. Here, we proposed human and rodent experiments to evaluate whether the anti-inflammation/pro-resolution effects of n-3 PUFA deficiency contribute to the adverse effects on cognitive performance and affect. In addition, these experiments focus on the expression of dietary n-3 PUFA deficiency in late adolescence/young adulthood. We will used a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging strategy in humans as a marker of activated microglia in individuals with low and high plasma n-3 PUFA. In parallel animal studies, we directly measured microglia activation in an animal model of n-3 PUFA deficiency and determined whether supplementation during early adulthood reverses this effect in correlation with behavior. We find that this dietary manipulation influences anxiety like behaviors in our rodent models in correlation with microglia activation. These findings provided a potential mechanism for n-3 PUFA regulation of brain function.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1130738
Entities
People
- Bita Moghaddam
Organizations
- Oregon Health & Science University