Emerging Role of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) on Human Brain Development and Neurological Diseases: A Systematic Review
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Abstract
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential components of neural membranes, contributing to membrane fluidity, receptor function, and neurotransmission. Healthy fats, like omega-3 fatty acids, play a crucial role in brain development, enhancing mood, and neurodegenerative processes. This systematic review examines the growing incidence of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders in recent decades, underscoring the urgent need for new therapies that target these conditions while minimizing adverse effects. Research suggests that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are essential for maintaining nerve cell function, neurotransmission, and modulating inflammatory and immunological responses. To identify relevant studies, electronic databases such as Science Direct, Scopus, EBSCO, Medline, PubMed, Embase, SID, and Iran Medex were searched, resulting in the inclusion of 15 experimental and epidemiological studies. These studies provided a robust basis for conducting clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of n-3 PUFAs in treating various neurological and psychiatric disorders. This review summarizes recent findings on the therapeutic potentials of n-3 PUFAs for a range of neuropsychiatric conditions and explores the underlying molecular mechanisms. It also addresses common methodological challenges in clinical research on n-3 PUFAs and offers recommendations for enhancing future study designs.
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