Possibility of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids for the Prevention and Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Illnesses

Journal of Pharmacological Sciences

Yutaka Matsuoka²  Kei Hamazaki⁴  Motoko Maekawa¹  Michio Hashimoto³  Masanori Katakura³ 

[1] Laboratory for Molecular Psychiatry, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Japan;Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Translational Medical Center, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Japan;Department of Environmental Physiology, Shimane University Faculty of Medicine, Japan;Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Japan

关键词: n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid;    docosahexaenoic acid;    eicosapentaenoic acid;    neuropsychiatric illness;   

DOI  :  10.1254/jphs.13R14CP

学科分类：药学

来源: Nihon Yakuri Gakkai Henshuubu / Japanese Pharmacological Society

【 摘 要 】

References(36)Cited-By(11)Increasing evidence from the fields of neurophysiology and neuropathology has uncovered the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in protecting neuronal cells from oxidative damage, controlling inflammation, regulating neurogenesis, and preserving neuronal function. Numerous epidemiological studies have shown that deficits in the dietary PUFA docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid are associated with the onset and progression of neuropsychiatric illnesses such as dementia, schizophrenia, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Recent clinical trials have offered compelling evidence that suggests that n-3 PUFA could reduce depressive, psychotic, and suicidal symptoms, as well as aggression. Although many studies have had the validity of their results questioned because of small sample size, several studies have indicated that n-3 PUFA are useful therapeutic tools for the treatment of dementia, major depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. These findings suggest that the pharmacological and nutritional actions of n-3 PUFA may be beneficial in certain neuropsychiatric illnesses. This review article outlines the role of PUFA in neurodevelopment and the regulatory mechanisms in neuronal stem cell differentiation and also the possible use of PUFA as a prescription medicine for the prophylaxis or treatment of neuropsychiatric illnesses such as dementia, mood disorder, and PTSD.

【 授权许可】

Unknown