Omega-3 fatty acids are important for both the proper development and maintenance of the brain, eyes and nervous system. We have shown that omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in visual function. Our research in the brain has shown that DHA is preferentially incorporated and plays an important role in protecting against neuroinflammation.
Relevant publications from Ma Lab.
Miyoung Suh, Yves Sauvé , Chantal Murray, Jing X. Kang, and David W. L. Ma. Supranormal electroretinogram (ERG) in fat-1 mice with retinas enriched in docosahexaenoic acid and n-3 very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA, C24-C36). Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2009 Sep;50(9):4394-401. Epub 2009 Mar 5.
Orr SK, Palumbo S, Bosetti F, Mount HT, Kang JX, Greenwood CE, David WL Ma, Serhan CN, Bazinet RP. Unesterified docosahexaenoic acid is protective in neuroinflammation. J Neurochem. 2013 Aug 6.
Sarah K Orr, Jasmin Tong, Jing X. Kang, David WL Ma, and Richard P Bazinet.. The Fat-1 Mouse has Brain Docosahexaenoic Acid Levels Achievable Through Fish Oil Feeding. Neurochem Res. 2010 May;35(5):811-9.
Cynthia Boudrault, Richard Bazinet and David W.L. Ma. Candidate Mechanisms Underlying the Protective Effects of n-3 PUFA in Alzheimer’s Disease. J Nutr. Biochem. 2009 Jan;20(1):1-10. Epub 2008 Sep 27.
Cynthia Boudrault, Richard P. Bazinet, Jing X. Kang and David W.L. Ma. Cyclooxygenase-2 and n-6 PUFA are lower and DHA is higher in the cortex of fat-1 mice. Neurochem Int. 2010 Mar;56(4):585-9.