0000000000648210
AUTHOR
Clémentine Bosch-bouju
Essential omega-3 fatty acids tune microglial phagocytosis of synaptic elements in the developing brain
SUMMARYOmega-3 fatty acids (n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids; n-3 PUFAs) are essential for the functional maturation of the brain. Westernization of dietary habits in both developed and developing countries is accompanied by a progressive reduction in dietary intake of n-3 PUFAs. Low maternal intake of n-3 PUFAs has been linked to neurodevelopmental diseases in epidemiological studies, but the mechanisms by which a n-3 PUFA dietary imbalance affects CNS development are poorly understood. Active microglial engulfment of synaptic elements is an important process for normal brain development and altered synapse refinement is a hallmark of several neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, we identify …
Causal Link between n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Deficiency and Motivation Deficits
International audience; Reward-processing impairment is a common symptomatic dimension of several psychiatric disorders. However, whether the underlying pathological mechanisms are common is unknown. Herein, we asked if the decrease in the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) lipid species, consistently described in these pathologies, could underlie reward-processing deficits. We show that reduced n-3 PUFA biostatus in mice leads to selective motivational impairments. Electrophysiological recordings revealed increased collateral inhibition of dopamine D2 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) onto dopamine D1 receptor-expressing MSNs in the nucleus accumbens, a main brain regio…
Vulnerability of the nucleus accumbens neuronal network to developmental n-3 PUFA deficiency: consequences on the reward and motivation system
National audience; Various, though distinct psychiatric disorders, such as Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depression are associated with a dysfunction of the reward system linked to an alteration of dopamine transmission. Furthermore, these pathologies are also accompanied by changes in lipid metabolism and in particular a decrease in the brain content n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in the nervous system. However, the implication of brain lipid composition in the etiology of psychiatric endophenotypes has been overlooked. The aim of this study was to investigate a potential causal link between n-3 PUFA deficiency and deficits in reward processing. Using operant conditioning…