Brain changes related to absence and depression of Omega-3 have been found

2011/03/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Biokimika
• Anatomia/Fisiologia
• Dietetika/Elikagaiak

The cerebral endocannabinoid system does not work properly when the diet is low in omega-3

Researchers from UPV-EHU and various centres in Bordeaux have explained the changes associated with depression resulting in the lack of omega-3 fatty acids in the brain. Lack of omega-3 and depression problems have long been associated, but so far the brain mechanism behind it has not been known. The journal Nature Neuroscience has published new keys to understanding this phenomenon.

Dr. Susana Mato, a member of the Department of Neurosciences at UPV-EHU, said that "we have found that mice that have had diets poor in omega-3 fatty acids have low levels of these fatty acids in the brain, which is a malfunction of the endocannabinoid system." More specifically, we have found that in the prefrontal _{cerebral cortex} there is a lack of signal from the cannabinoid receptor CB _{1 --} says the researcher. This protein, the cannabinoid receptor CB 1, has been associated in the last decade with depressive problems."

Moreover, the head of the group of Neurochemistry and Neurodegeneration of the UPV, Rafael Rodríguez Puertas, explained that "the synapse plasticity of neuronal connections regulated by the endocannabinoid system disappears in certain areas of the brain, that is, there are no changes in the communication between neurons".

Although the scientific literature has often proposed that the presence of omega-3 in the diet is associated with depressive problems, Susana Mato confesses that "we do not know much about the influence of modern Western diets poor in omega-3 on brain functioning, nor on the basis of a greater incidence of depression associated with the lack of these fatty acids."

As explained by Dr. Rodríguez Puertas, the results of the research have allowed "opening new opportunities to analyze more thoroughly how diet works the brain and, in particular, the endocannabinoid system, how it changes and how these changes are associated with mental problems."

We have also reinforced the idea that handling the cannabinoid system can help treat depression problems, he added. However, the data we have obtained so far is very provisional and it is soon to say what would be the best way to manipulate."