Neuron
Volume 43, Issue 5, 2 September 2004, Pages 633-645
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Article
Docosahexaenoic Acid Protects from Dendritic Pathology in an Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model

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Abstract

Learning and memory depend on dendritic spine actin assembly and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an essential n-3 (omega-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PFA). High DHA consumption is associated with reduced Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk, yet mechanisms and therapeutic potential remain elusive. Here, we report that reduction of dietary n-3 PFA in an AD mouse model resulted in 80%–90% losses of the p85α subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and the postsynaptic actin-regulating protein drebrin, as in AD brain. The loss of postsynaptic proteins was associated with increased oxidation, without concomitant neuron or presynaptic protein loss. N-3 PFA depletion increased caspase-cleaved actin, which was localized in dendrites ultrastructurally. Treatment of n-3 PFA-restricted mice with DHA protected against these effects and behavioral deficits and increased antiapoptotic BAD phosphorylation. Since n-3 PFAs are essential for p85-mediated CNS insulin signaling and selective protection of postsynaptic proteins, these findings have implications for neurodegenerative diseases where synaptic loss is critical, especially AD.

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Present address: Molecular Endocrinology and Oncology Research Center, Laval University Medical Center (CHUL), Québec, Qc, G1V 4G2, and Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University, Québec, Qc, G1K 7P4, Canada.