DHA effects in brain development and function
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DHA effects in brain development and function. / Lauritzen, Lotte; Brambilla, Paola; Mazzocchi, Allesandra; Harsløf, Laurine Bente Schram; Ciappolino, Valentina; Agostoni, Carlo.
In: Nutrients, Vol. 8, No. 1, 6, 2016.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - DHA effects in brain development and function
AU - Lauritzen, Lotte
AU - Brambilla, Paola
AU - Mazzocchi, Allesandra
AU - Harsløf, Laurine Bente Schram
AU - Ciappolino, Valentina
AU - Agostoni, Carlo
N1 - CURIS 2016 NEXS 006
PY - 2016
Y1 - 2016
N2 - Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a structural constituent of membranes specifically in the central nervous system. Its accumulation in the fetal brain takes place mainly during the last trimester of pregnancy and continues at very high rates up to the end of the second year of life. Since the endogenous formation of DHA seems to be relatively low, DHA intake may contribute to optimal conditions for brain development. We performed a narrative review on research on the associations between DHA levels and brain development and function throughout the lifespan. Data from cell and animal studies justify the indication of DHA in relation to brain function for neuronal cell growth and differentiation as well as in relation to neuronal signaling. Most data from human studies concern the contribution of DHA to optimal visual acuity development. Accumulating data indicate that DHA may have effects on the brain in infancy, and recent studies indicate that the effect of DHA may depend on gender and genotype of genes involved in the endogenous synthesis of DHA. While DHA levels may affect early development, potential effects are also increasingly recognized during childhood and adult life, suggesting a role of DHA in cognitive decline and in relation to major psychiatric disorders.
AB - Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a structural constituent of membranes specifically in the central nervous system. Its accumulation in the fetal brain takes place mainly during the last trimester of pregnancy and continues at very high rates up to the end of the second year of life. Since the endogenous formation of DHA seems to be relatively low, DHA intake may contribute to optimal conditions for brain development. We performed a narrative review on research on the associations between DHA levels and brain development and function throughout the lifespan. Data from cell and animal studies justify the indication of DHA in relation to brain function for neuronal cell growth and differentiation as well as in relation to neuronal signaling. Most data from human studies concern the contribution of DHA to optimal visual acuity development. Accumulating data indicate that DHA may have effects on the brain in infancy, and recent studies indicate that the effect of DHA may depend on gender and genotype of genes involved in the endogenous synthesis of DHA. While DHA levels may affect early development, potential effects are also increasingly recognized during childhood and adult life, suggesting a role of DHA in cognitive decline and in relation to major psychiatric disorders.
U2 - 10.3390/nu8010006
DO - 10.3390/nu8010006
M3 - Review
C2 - 26742060
VL - 8
JO - Nutrients
JF - Nutrients
SN - 2072-6643
IS - 1
M1 - 6
ER -
ID: 152932691