Journal article

Publication year: 2013

Pages: 105-114

Journal: Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids

Volume number: 88

Issue number: 1

ISSN: 0952-3278

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plefa.2012.05.006

Publisher: Elsevier

Abstract: 
Mitochondrial dysfunction represents a common early pathological event in brain aging and in neurodegenerative diseases, e.g., in Alzheimer's (AD), Parkinson's (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD), as well as in ischemic stroke. In vivo and ex vivo experiments using animal models of aging and AD, PD, and HD mainly showed improvement of mitochondria] function after treatment with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Thereby, PUFA are particular beneficial in animals treated with mitochondria targeting toxins. However, DHA showed adverse effects in a transgenic PD mouse model and it is not clear if a diet high or low in PUFA might provide neuroprotective effects in PD. Post-treatment with PUFA revealed conflicting results in ischemic animal models, but intravenous administered DHA provided neuroprotective efficacy after acute occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. In summary, the majority of preclinical data indicate beneficial effects of n-3 PUFA in neurodegenerative diseases, whereas most controlled clinical trials did not meet the expectations. Because of the high half-life of DHA in the human brain clinical studies may have to be initiated much earlier and have to last much longer to be more efficacious. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Harvard Citation style: Eckert, G., Lipka, U. and Müller, W. (2013) Omega-3 fatty acids in neurodegenerative diseases: Focus on mitochondria, Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, 88(1), pp. 105-114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plefa.2012.05.006

APA Citation style: Eckert, G., Lipka, U., & Müller, W. (2013). Omega-3 fatty acids in neurodegenerative diseases: Focus on mitochondria. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids. 88(1), 105-114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plefa.2012.05.006