FATTY-ACIDS AND BRAIN PEPTIDES

The role of fatty acids (FA) as a mediator and modulator of central ne rvous system activity in general, and peptides in particular, is only recently becoming understood. This paper reviews numerous findings con cerned with the activity of fatty acids, particularly with their inter action with diverse neurochemical systems and their consequences for b etter understanding neurotransmitters, hormones and peptides. The effe cts include FA as precursors in the manufacture of neurochemical eleme nts, including enzymes, neurotransmitters, and hormones. Of particular interest is the important changes in neuronal membrane composition th at have been attributed to FA. Such changes may account for the change s in thermoregulation, learning, and other functions that accompany di etary manipulation of FA intake. While the total level of FA has been the object of many investigations, this report addresses the need to f ocus on the ratio of FA, especially alpha-linolenic/linoleic acid, whi ch has been shown to be a critical factor in a number of research stud ies. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.