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Polyunsaturated fatty acids and cerebral function: Focus on monoaminergic neurotransmission

  • Published:
Lipids

Abstract

More and more reports in recent years have shown that the intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) constitutes an environmental factor able to act on the central nervous system (CNS) function. We recently demonstrated that the effects of PUFA on behavior can be mediated through effects on the monoaminergic neurotransmission processes. Supporting this proposal, we showed that chronic dietary deficiency in α-linolenic acid in rats induces abnormalities in several parameters of the mesocortical and mesolimbic dopaminergic systems. In both systems, the pool of dopamine stored in presynaptic vesicles is strongly decreased. This may be due to a decrease in the number of vesicles. In addition, several other factors of dopaminergic neurotransmission are modified according to the system affected. The mesocortical system seems to be hypofunctional overall [e.g., decreased basal release of dopamine (DA) and reduced levels of dopamine D2 (DAD2) receptors]. In contrast, the mesolimbic system seems to be hyperfunctional overall (e.g., increased basal release of DA and increased levels of DAD2 receptors). These neurochemical changes are in agreement with modifications of behavior already described with this deficiency. The precise mechanisms explaining the effects of PUFA on neurotransmission remain to be clarified. For example, modifications of physical properties of the neuronal membrane, effects on proteins (receptors, transporters) enclosed in the membrane, and effects on gene expression and/or transcription might occur. Whatever the mechanism, it is therefore assumed that interactions exist among PUFA, neurotransmission, and behavior. This might be related to clinical findings. Indeed, deficits in the peripheral amounts of PUFA have been described in subjects suffering from neurological and psychiatric disorders. Involvement of the monoaminergic neurotransmission function has been demonstrated or hypothesized in several of these diseases. It can therefore be proposed that functional links exist among PUFA status, neurotransmission processes, and behavioural disorders in humans. Animal models are tools of choice for the understanding of such links. Improved prevention and complementary treatment of neurological and psychiatric diseases can be expected from these studies.

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Abbreviations

AA:

arachidonic acid

ADHD:

attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

CNS:

central nervous system

DA:

dopamine

DAD:

dopamine D2

DAT:

DA transporters

DHA:

docosahexaenoic acid

DnR:

dopamine receptor

Dopac:

dihydrophenylacetic acid

EFA:

essential fatty acids

FA:

fatty acid

GABA:

γ-aminobutyric acid

HPLC:

high-performance liquid chromatography

LC:

long chain

PUFA:

polyunsaturated fatty acids

VMAT2 :

vesicular monoamine transporter

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. INSERM U316, Laboratoire de Biophysique Médicale et Pharmaceutique, UFR Pharmacie, 31 avenue Monge, 37200, Tours, France

    Sylvie Chalon, Luc Zimmer & Denis Guilloteau

  2. Laboratoire Nutrition et Sécurité Alimentaire, INRA, 78352, Jouy-en-Josas, France

    Sylvie Vancassel & Georges Durand

Authors
  1. Sylvie Chalon
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  2. Sylvie Vancassel
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  3. Luc Zimmer
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  4. Denis Guilloteau
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  5. Georges Durand
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sylvie Chalon.

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Chalon, S., Vancassel, S., Zimmer, L. et al. Polyunsaturated fatty acids and cerebral function: Focus on monoaminergic neurotransmission. Lipids 36, 937–944 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-001-0804-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-001-0804-7

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