A brand new research study printed in the Journal of Behavioral Neuroscience provided more documented evidence that DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), an omega-3 fatty acid gotten from microalgae and fish, is great for the brain. The positive neurological benefits of omega-3 fats are not a shock because docosahexaenoic acid makes up over ninety percent of the omega-3 fatty acids in the brain and is required for maintaining the cell-nerve membranes.
This published scientific study indicates that omega-3 fatty acids helps the human brain avoid "sensory overload." The authors concluded that omega-3 deficiency, particularly that of docosahexaenoic acid reduces the brain's capacity to handle sensory input. Moreover, even a small decrease in DHA levels can lead to losses in brain function.
This "sensory overload" is is a consequence of ineffective sensorimotor gating. This scientific study was done in mice, and basically revealed that the omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid deficient mice quite specifically were unable to adapt to stimuli as rapidly, and thus were more easily stressed. Sensorimotor gating is measured specifically through experimentation with the startle reflex that reflex that makes you jump when you hear a aloud noise. Essentially, the scientists used a lighter "warning tone" to acclimate to the tone ever-so-slightly before they blasted the more startling one. The mice that benefited least from the warning tone had abnormal sensorimotor gating compared to the mice that had adequate (non-deficient) levels of omega-3. This technique is not too unlike what is actually used to test sensorimotor gating features of humans. Sensorimotor gating issues in autistic spectrum disorders, and individuals with asperger's syndrome have, in other unrelated scientific research demonstrated abnormalities with sensorimotor gating.[1]
This research has potential helpful applications because they linked deficiency of omega-3 fats to trouble with information-processing. Defects of the sensorimotor functions are notable in many diseases of the nervous system found in people with Huntington's disease, schizophrenia, bipolar, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Reference(s): 1. McAlonan, G.M. et al. Brain anatomy and sensorimotor gating in Asperger's syndrome. Brain 125, 1594-1606 (2002).
This published scientific study indicates that omega-3 fatty acids helps the human brain avoid "sensory overload." The authors concluded that omega-3 deficiency, particularly that of docosahexaenoic acid reduces the brain's capacity to handle sensory input. Moreover, even a small decrease in DHA levels can lead to losses in brain function.
This "sensory overload" is is a consequence of ineffective sensorimotor gating. This scientific study was done in mice, and basically revealed that the omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid deficient mice quite specifically were unable to adapt to stimuli as rapidly, and thus were more easily stressed. Sensorimotor gating is measured specifically through experimentation with the startle reflex that reflex that makes you jump when you hear a aloud noise. Essentially, the scientists used a lighter "warning tone" to acclimate to the tone ever-so-slightly before they blasted the more startling one. The mice that benefited least from the warning tone had abnormal sensorimotor gating compared to the mice that had adequate (non-deficient) levels of omega-3. This technique is not too unlike what is actually used to test sensorimotor gating features of humans. Sensorimotor gating issues in autistic spectrum disorders, and individuals with asperger's syndrome have, in other unrelated scientific research demonstrated abnormalities with sensorimotor gating.[1]
This research has potential helpful applications because they linked deficiency of omega-3 fats to trouble with information-processing. Defects of the sensorimotor functions are notable in many diseases of the nervous system found in people with Huntington's disease, schizophrenia, bipolar, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Reference(s): 1. McAlonan, G.M. et al. Brain anatomy and sensorimotor gating in Asperger's syndrome. Brain 125, 1594-1606 (2002).
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