Cited by 139Fatty Acid Research and HealthAlzheimer's disease research and treatmentsDementia and Cognitive Impairment Research

Functional and Structural Benefits Induced by Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids During Aging

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Cutuli, Debora·2017·Current Neuropharmacology

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) are structural components of the brain and are indispensable for neuronal membrane synthesis. Along with decline in cognition, decreased synaptic density and neuronal loss, normal aging is accompanied by a reduction in n-3 PUFA concentration in the brain in both humans and rodents. Recently, many clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated the importance of n-3 PUFA in counteracting neurodegeneration and agerelated dysfunctions. METHODS: This review will focus on the neuroprotective effects of n-3 PUFA on cognitive impairment, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration during normal aging. Multiple pathways of n-3 PUFA preventive action will be examined. RESULTS: Namely, n-3 PUFA have been shown to increase the levels of several signaling factors involved in synaptic plasticity, thus leading to the increase of dendritic spines and synapses as well as the enhancement of hippocampal neurogenesis even at old age. In elderly subjects n-3 PUFA exert anti-inflammatory effects associated with improved cognitive functions. Interestingly, growing evidence highlights n-3 PUFA efficacy in preventing the loss of both gray and white matter volume and integrity. CONCLUSION: This review shows that n-3 PUFA are essential for a successful aging and appear as ideal cognitive enhancers to be implemented in nutritional interventions for the promotion of healthy aging.

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  • Polymorphisms in FADS2 influence omega-3 fatty acid metabolism, impacting synaptic plasticity and stress response mechanisms.

    “Additionally, polymorphisms in FADS2 (encoding fatty acid desaturase 2) influence omega-3 fatty acid metabolism, impacting synaptic plasticity and stress response mechanisms95.”

    From Resilience and brain health in global populations (2025) · cites this paper as [95]

    Section 2 (page not provided) reports that omega-3 fatty acids affect synaptic plasticity in aged rodents. It does not link that effect to FADS2 polymorphisms or say that those polymorphisms influence omega-3 metabolism or stress-response mechanisms; searches for FADS2 and desaturase-related genetic variation found no such passage. (LLM, conf=0.83)

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Petrosini, L.; Cutuli, D.; De Bartolo, P. John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2nd ed; Weiner, I.B., Ed.; USA, 2013, 2, pp. 461-479.Handbook of Psychology
  2. Masliah, E.; Crews, L.; Hansen, L. Synaptic remodeling during aging and in Alzheimers disease. J. Alzheimers Dis., 2006, 9(3)(Suppl.), 91-99. [PMID: 16914848]
  3. Gómez-Pinilla, F. Brain foods: the effects of nutrients on brain function. Nat. Rev. Neurosci., 2008, 9(7), 568-578. [http://dx.doi. org/10.1038/nrn2421] [PMID: 18568016] · DOI · Paper page

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Authors
Cutuli, D.
Corresponding author
Cutuli, Debora
Venue
Current Neuropharmacology
Published
2017-04-11
Volume
15
Issue
4
Pages
534-542
ISSN
1570-159X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2429500716
Cited by
139
References
142
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 29 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 2
FWCI
0.67
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Current Neuropharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • IRIS Research product catalog (Sapienza University of Rome) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
Funders
Ministero della Salute (GR-2011-02351086)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
Keywords
omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, brain aging, neuroprotection, cognitive impairment, neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, synaptic plasticity, dendritic spines, hippocampal neurogenesis, healthy aging, dietary supplementation
MeSH terms
Aging, Animals, Brain, Humans, Fatty Acids, Omega-3, Neuroprotective Agents

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