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Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) provided the basic membrane backbone of the new photoreceptors that converted photons into electricity laying the foundation for the evolution of the nervous system and the brain. Role of DHA in the brain, its extreme conservation in signaling systems with its possible relevance to human evolution.

Neural cells have a particularly high membrane content of DHA. DHA is rapidly and selectively incorporated in neural membranes and is concentrated at synaptic signalling sites
DHA is essential to brain development and function.

DHA are needed for the growth and development of the brain and its function

Neuronal apoptosis under adverse conditions is prevented by DHA enrichment.

DHA activates neurite outgrowth at low micro molar concentrations with a remarkable effect on morphological differentiation of hippocampal neurons which is achieved by increasing the population of neurons with more branches and longer neurites.

DHA being selectively rich in neural systems, its neuroprotectins also protects against neural cell damage, most likely those associated with aging and Alzheimer ’s disease.

DHA is selected for membranes of the eye and brain over 600 million years of genomic change and evolution. The more enriched the synapse the better its function which is the converse of the ω3 deficiency experiment which depresses learning ability. Proposed function of DHA would facilitate conduction of a signal and the establishment and function of a neural pathway.

The brain first evolved in the marine environment utilizing marine nutrients of which clearly DHA was a key for neural systems The use of DHA in neural signalling systems
over a 600 million year stretch of evolution is compelling evidence for its essentiality.

DHA accumulates rapidly during the last intrauterine trimester and in the first 2 years of life.

Learning and cognition are also outcomes of interest given the large amount of DHA that accumulates in the brain, relative to other organs. Indeed, DHA has been reported to affect learning and cognition

Higher DHA exposure in utero has been associated with first year behavior indicative of accelerated attentional development (25), suggesting a potential value for attention as a means of evaluating the effects of LCPUFA supplementation on cognition.

Neonatal concentrations of DHA and arachidonic acid are associated with improved outcomes in early infancy, and concentrations of DHA are associated with favorable Neurodevelopmental outcome beyond early infancy the highest concentrations of DHA and AA are found in the basal ganglia, hippocampus, thalamus, cerebellum, and precentral, postcentral, prefrontal, and occipital cortices—a finding that suggests that LC-PUFA intake particular affect the circuitries involved in sensorimotor integration, attention-executive function, and memory.

DHA accretion in the central nervous system depends on the dietary provision of DHA, ie, on the duration and concentration of DHA supplementation.
DHA Varied between 200 and 2200mg/d, age at evaluation from a few days to 7 y, and functional domain from visual acuity, motor control, and cognitive function to behavioral adaptation.

Prenatal and neonatal DHA and AA concentrations are related to
Neurodevelopmental outcome in early infancy, but only prenatal and neonatal DHA is associated with outcomes beyond early infancy.

Membranes of cells that have lots of electrical activity (photoreceptor, brain, heart) have higher proportions of the specialized polyunsaturated fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Body fat therefore contains two types of insurance— fatty acids to make ketones for brain fuel and lipid synthesis, and specialized fatty acids such as DHA for brain membranes

On a per weight basis, body fat contains more DHA at birth than at any other time in the lifecycle. Infants with normal amounts of body fat at birth have a supply of DHA in their fat that would meet the brain’s requirement for approximately the first 3 months of life irrespective of what was in the milk or mother’s diet.

DHA insurance bestowed on human infants born at term.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) generally leads to the formation of anti-inflammatory, pro-resolving and cytoprotective lipid mediators
Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which are abundant in fish and are widely used as dietary supplements. These essential fatty acids have long been associated with beneficial effects in human health and in the prevention of various diseases, including inflammation, immunomodulation,85 autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, Cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases,Type-2 diabetes and cancer.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is the second major component of fish oil and omega-3 nutritional supplements, and its multiple beneficial effects have been long recognized, although the molecular basis for these properties have remained unknown. The recent discoveries of the endogenous conversion of DHA to D-series resolvins, Protectins/Neuroprotectins, and more recently to the maresins, 82 have provided a new basis for the health benefits of DHA.
Resolvin D2 (RvD2, 27) was originally identified during resolution, 4 and it is biosynthesized from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) via sequential lipoxygenation and epoxide hydrolysis. Recently, we established the complete stereochemistry and actions of RvD2, and also investigated whether it preserves host immune function to facilitate resolution of inflammatory sepsis.

The results indicated that new DHA derived molecules reduced cytokine IL-1β production by human glioma cells stimulated with the cytokine TNFα and importantly that DHA stored in the brain is converted to the new molecules.

DHA is a precursor to novel potent protective mediators and that 10, 17-docosatriene carried potent anti-inflammatory activity.

Circulating levels of EPA and DHA and potentially other omega-3 essential fatty acids166 in humans play an important role in regulating the time course of resolution and production of resolvins and Protectins. These mechanisms of exudate resolution and utilization of edema-supplied EPA and DHA imply a rapid utilization of dietary EPA and DHA once these substrates have reached circulation.

DHA is well appreciated to be enriched in neural systems, where it is esterified into membrane phospholipids and then, on activation, is released for production of neuroprotectins D1.

DHA supplementation, early in pregnancy, may reduce the incidence of deep placentation disorders. DHA supplementation, early in pregnancy, will become a safe and effective strategy for primary prevention of highly relevant pregnancy diseases, such as preterm birth, preeclampsia, and fetal growth restriction.

Average birth weight significantly increased in women who received DHA. DHA supplementation reduced the risk of intrauterine growth restriction. DHA is more powerful in stimulating extravillous trophoblast vasculogenesis.

Deep placentation disorders are the main outcome perhaps clinically modifiable with DHA supplementation early in pregnancy.

The more early in pregnancy DHA starts, the greater the effect on improving placentation is, making it possible to achieve a significant improvement in clinical outcomes.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) influences serotonin action by increasing membrane fluidity and thus serotonin receptor accessibility in postsynaptic neurons

DHA is the most abundant fatty acid in the brain, making up30%of the fatty acid content Cell membrane fluidity depends on the amount of cholesterol, which decreases membrane fluidity, and the omega-3 fatty acids in the membrane phospholipids, which increases membrane fluidity. DHA composition in the lipid membrane is necessary for adequate membrane fluidity.

DHA’s role in membrane fluidity has also been shown to be important for synaptosomal membranes, which regulate neurotransmission.

Plasma DHA is significantly decreased in patients with bipolar disorder
Supplementation with several grams of EPA and DHA improved depression, suicidal thoughts, and behaviors.

Schizophrenics have significantly lower DHA levels in the orbitofrontal cortex region of the brain, where serotonin is concentrated, compared with normal individuals.

Reduced intake of EPA and DHA during neurodevelopment results in decreased serotonin synthesis, storage, release, and receptor function. Omega-3 fatty acid deficiency also affects the structure and wiring of the developing brain as it is associated with a decrease in neurogenesis, dendritic arborization, synaptogenesis, selective pruning, and myelination

Supplementation with vitamin D, EPA, and DHA improves some behaviors associated with ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and impulsive behavior by controlling serotonin production and function.

Maternal DHA intake during pregnancy and/or lactation can prolong high risk pregnancies; increase birth weight, head circumference and birth length, and can enhance visual acuity, hand and eye co-ordination, attention, problem solving and information processing.

Fetal and infant DHA deficiencies are associated with poor growth, and brain and eye development and function.

Typically, only about 0.1% of dietary ALA is converted to DHA in normal healthy adults eating a Westernized diet making routine dietary intake of DHA a necessity in extraordinary circumstances, such as in pregnancy and during lactation.

DHA is the main structural fatty acid in nerve cells and its presence helps to ensure nerve cell message transmission through its effects on ion channels, response to neurotransmitters [8], and formation of secondary messengers. It may also protect against loss of scaffolding proteins and lipid peroxidation thereby maintaining the physical structure of the brain.

DHA is also extremely important for vision since it is the main membrane constituent in the photoreceptor cells of the eye. These cells are responsible for transmitting light messages to nerves that supply the brain and their proper function is essential for vision.

In the last three months of pregnancy, there is rapid accumulation of DHA in the eyes and brain of the fetus.

After birth, the baby’s nervous system continues to grow very rapidly and DHA supplied primarily through breast milk, is required as a structural component. Consequently, maternal body stores can become depleted resulting in health risks for her including post natal depression

During the last trimester, a fetus accrues about 67 mg of DHA per day from the mother, and during breast feeding the need increases to 70–80 mg daily. This huge demand for DHA particularly during breast feeding depletes maternal stores to below pre-pregnancy levels and this deficit can take months to even partially correct.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are potent neurobiological agents that affect neuronal membrane structure, synaptogenesis, and myelination.

Studies in preterm humans indicate important benefits for retinal and cognitive development, as indexed by improved electroretinogram activity, visual acuity, and short-term global developmental outcome after DHA supplementation of preterm infant formula. Read more about lucky88.

Duration of gestation increased significantly when docosahexaenoic acid intake was increased during the last trimester of pregnancy