The role of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in development, aging and substance abuse disorders:: Review and propositions

The polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially omega-3 and -6, play an important role in the functioning of membranes. Therefore, changes in their physical properties might entail impairment of the neurotransmission between cells. Studies emphasize the importance of omega-3 intakes, but they also highlight the need of a balance between omega-6 and -3, whose ideal ratio should be 4:1. The Western diet has very high amounts of saturated fat and omega-6, which might contribute, at least partially, to physiopathologies and high incidence as well as prevalence of psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. This narrow review aimed at systematizing the studies on the importance of PUFAs in some particular cases, that is, the extremes of life: pre- and post-natal development, and cognitive aging. Additionally, it aimed at studying the association between PUFAs and substance abuse disorders. We used the databases LILACs, MEDLINE and PUBMED. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.