The effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on antidepressant-like behavior

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K08086
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 52030:Psychiatry-related
• Research Institution: National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
• Principal Investigator: Takeuchi Eri 国立研究開発法人国立精神・神経医療研究センター, 神経研究所 遺伝子疾患治療研究部, 科研費研究員 (70712777)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: ω-3多価不飽和脂肪酸 / うつ様行動

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The beneficial effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω-3 PUFA) supplementation on major depressive disorder have been actively studied, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. The present study examined the mechanisms that behavioral changes in mice fed a diet high in ω-3 PUFAs (high ω-3 diet). Mice fed a high ω-3 diet exerted shorter immobility times in the forced swim test (FST) than mice fed a control diet. The shorter immobility times were observed in both male and female mice. The reduction of immobility time was abolished by microinjection of an antagonist for D2-like receptor and an antagonist for D1-like receptor into the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Moreover, we found that tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells increased in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in mice fed the high ω-3 diet. These results suggest that modulation of the VTA-NAc dopaminergic pathway is one of the mechanisms by which a high ω-3 diet reduces the immobility behavior in the mouse FST.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

多くの疫学調査から、体内に摂取されたω-3多価不飽和脂肪酸はうつ病の症状を改善させることが示されているが、その作用メカニズムについては不明であった。本研究成果から、ω-3多価不飽和脂肪酸の摂取によるうつ様行動の減少には側坐核-腹側被蓋野ドパミン神経系が関与することが示唆された。本研究成果は、栄養摂取による新規治療法の開発にも繋がることが期待される。