ROLE OF ESSENTIAL FATTY-ACIDS IN THE FUNCTION OF THE DEVELOPING NERVOUS-SYSTEM

The basis for n-3 fatty acid essentiality in humans includes not only biochemical evidence but functional measures associated with n-3 defic iency in human and nonhuman primates. Functional development of the re tina and the occipital cortex are affected by alpha-linolenic acid def iciency and by a lack of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in preterm infant formulas and, as reported more recently, in term diets. Functional eff ects of n-3 supply on sleep-wake cycles and heart rate rhythms support the need for dietary n-3 fatty acids during early development. Our re sults indicate that n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids should be considered provisionally essential for infant nutrition. DHA may al so be required by individuals with inherited metabolic defects in elon gation and desaturation activity such as patients with peroxisomal dis orders and some forms of retinitis pigmentosa.