Epigenetic Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Neurons and Astrocytes During Brain Development and Senescence

Abstract Nutritional changes that lead to increase or deficiency of macro- or micronutrients may modify the normal course of neural development as a product of changes in epigenetic mechanisms. N-3 essential fatty acids play a key role in neural stem cells, astrocyte and neuron proliferation and differentiation, intercellular communication, exert antiinflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Emerging research supports the evidence that essential n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may modify the epigenome as one of the mechanisms involved in their beneficial actions during brain development and senescence. The purpose of this review is to identify epigenetic mechanisms related to the effects of these fatty acids on neural cells’ development and those implicated in their potential therapeutic use as a nutraceutic for some neurodegenerative diseases. The current data reinforce the importance of an adequate supplementation of these macronutrients on epigenetic modulation, either in physiological or pathological conditions.