Low levels of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are linked to anxiety and depression; however, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Larrieu et al. showed that mice that were fed a diet deficient in n-3 PUFAs exhibited behavioural changes and neuronal atrophy patterns that resemble those of mice exposed to social defeat stress, a model of depression. These effects were linked to hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity and were reversed by n-3 PUFA supplementation. Thus, dietary n-3 PUFAs may be important in maintaining HPA axis function and preventing emotional impairment.
References
Larrieu, T. et al. Nutritional omega-3 modulates neuronal morphology in the prefrontal cortex along with depression-related behaviour through corticosterone secretion. Transl. Psychiatry 4, e437 (2014)
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Whalley, K. Mood food. Nat Rev Neurosci 15, 698 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3842
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3842