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Polyunsaturated fatty acids and epilepsy
Author(s) -
Taha Ameer Y.,
Burnham W. McIntyre,
Auvin Stéphane
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2010.02654.x
Subject(s) - polyunsaturated fatty acid , clinical trial , anticonvulsant , epilepsy , pharmacology , medicine , bioinformatics , chemistry , biology , biochemistry , fatty acid , psychiatry
Summary Omega‐3 and omega‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are dietary fatty acids that are involved in a myriad of physiologic processes in the brain. There is some evidence suggesting that PUFAs—and particularly omega‐3 PUFAs—may have anticonvulsant effects, both in humans and in animals. In the present review, we assess the evidence related to the antiseizure properties of the n‐3 PUFAs, discuss their possible mechanism(s) of action, and make recommendations for future clinical trials. In general, the available data from cell cultures and whole animal studies support the idea that the n‐3 PUFAs have antiseizure properties. Future clinical trials involving the n‐3 PUFAs should involve higher doses and longer periods of administration in order to definitively assess their possible antiseizure effects.