Omega-3 deficiency may explain depressive behaviours
Published On: Mon, Jan 31st, 2011 | Neurobiology | By BioNewsA new study has said that dietary insufficiency in omega-3 fatty acid may explain deleterious consequences on synaptic functions and emotional behaviours.
These fatty acids are “essential” lipids because the body cannot synthesize them from new. They must therefore be provided through food and their dietary balance is essential to maintain optimal brain functions.
Researchers from Inserm and INRA and their collaborators in Spain collaboration, studied mice fed on a diet low in omega-3 fatty acid.
They found that omega-3 deficiency disturbed neuronal communication specifically. This neuronal dysfunction was accompanied by depressive behaviours.
“Our results can now corroborate clinical and epidemiological studies which have revealed associations between an omega-3/omega-6 imbalance and mood disorders”, said Olivier Manzoni and Sophie Laye.
“To determine if the omega-3 deficiency is responsible for these neuropsychiatric disorders additional studies are, of course, required”.
The study appears in Nature Neuroscience. (ANI)
Reference:
Nutritional omega-3 deficiency abolishes endocannabinoid-mediated neuronal functions
Mathieu Lafourcade, Thomas Larrieu, Susana Mato, Anais Duffaud, Marja Sepers, Isabelle Matias, Veronique De Smedt-Peyrusse, Virginie F Labrousse, Lionel Bretillon, Carlos Matute, Rafael Rodríguez-Puertas, Sophie Layé & Olivier J Manzoni; Nature Neuroscience, Published online: 30 January 2011 doi:10.1038/nn.2736
